- February 24, 2026
BAFTA Apologises To Michael B. Jordan, Takes ‘Full Responsibility’ After Offensive Slur Incident
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BAFTA issues apology to Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo after offensive slur heard during ceremony, taking full responsibility and pledging to learn from incident.
BAFTA 2026 was on February 22. (Photo Credit: X)
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has issued a formal apology following a deeply uncomfortable moment at the BAFTA Film Awards, acknowledging harm caused by an offensive slur heard during Sunday night’s ceremony.
The incident occurred while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting the award for best visual effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash. An involuntary outburst from Tourette’s syndrome campaigner John Davidson included the N-word, a term that carries deep historical trauma and pain.
A Difficult Moment on a Celebratory Night
In a statement released the following day, BAFTA said it took “full responsibility” for placing its guests in what it described as a “very difficult situation.” The organization apologized unreservedly to Jordan and Lindo, praising their “incredible dignity and professionalism” during the incident.
Before the ceremony began, attendees had reportedly been informed that Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, was present and might experience involuntary verbal tics. Tourette syndrome can cause sudden and uncontrollable vocalizations, including words or phrases that do not reflect the individual’s beliefs or intentions.
Despite these precautions, the outburst stunned many in the auditorium. Host Alan Cumming addressed the audience twice during the evening, thanking them for their understanding and offering an apology to anyone offended. However, some critics later argued that the remarks lacked depth.
The controversy intensified when the BBC included the slur in its tape-delayed broadcast. The broadcaster later apologized and removed the program from its iPlayer streaming platform.
Accountability and Commitment to Inclusion
In its extended statement, BAFTA emphasized its duty of care toward all guests and reiterated its commitment to inclusion. The organization also expressed gratitude to Davidson for choosing to leave the auditorium midway through the ceremony and watch the remainder from a separate screen.
Davidson, an executive producer of the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, has long advocated for greater awareness and understanding of Tourette syndrome. BAFTA underscored that involuntary tics are not intentional expressions and do not represent an individual’s character.
Still, the academy acknowledged that the impact of the word spoken cannot be dismissed. “We will learn from this,” the statement read, affirming its belief that film and storytelling should remain conduits for compassion and empathy.
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London, United Kingdom (UK)
February 24, 2026, 05:19 IST
