Bafta apologises 'unreservedly' to black and disability communities after review into film awards racial slur saga

Alex Davies
Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:31:36 +0000

Bafta has today published the findings of its investigation into the controversy that marred its film awards ceremony on February 22.

During this year's awards, Tourette's campaigner John Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur while Black actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan were on stage.

The review concluded that whilst there was no malicious intent behind the incident, the organisation's planning and procedures had failed to keep pace with its diversity and inclusion objectives.

The British film academy acknowledged that it had not sufficiently anticipated or prepared for such an occurrence during a live event.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

As a consequence, Bafta stated that its duty of care towards everyone present at the ceremony and viewers at home "fell short" of what was required.

Bafta offered an unreserved apology to the Black community, recognising that the racist language used carries "real pain, brutality, and trauma."

The organisation also apologised to the disability community, including those living with Tourette's syndrome, noting that the incident had resulted in "unfair judgement, stigma, and distress."

The apology extended to Bafta members, ceremony guests and home viewers alike. The academy expressed regret that what should have been a celebratory occasion was "diminished and overshadowed" by events.

Bafta confirmed it had written directly to those most affected on the night to convey its apologies personally.

Bafta faced intense criticism not only for the incident itself but for how it responded in the immediate aftermath.

Host Alan Cumming asked the audience for "understanding" regarding Tourette's symptoms, a reaction that drew significant backlash.

Among the complaints were some who claimed the organisation had prioritised providing context about Mr Davidson's condition rather than attending to the immediate needs of Mr Jordan, Mr Lindo and other Black attendees.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Amol Rajan hits out at 'big problems' in Britain as BBC star admits he might raise children in India

Eurovision UK entry welcomes baby son weeks before competition debut as support floods in

Podcast horror Undertone's attempt to bring in a new era ends up a skippable misfire: Film review

Earlier this week, the BBC's executive complaints unit determined that the corporation's broadcast of the ceremony constituted a "clear breach" of editorial standards, though the ruling found this was unintentional.

Chief content officer Kate Phillips confirmed the ECU had upheld complaints relating to harm and offence, stating the inclusion of the slur "was highly offensive, had no editorial justification."

The investigation revealed that production staff in the broadcast truck did not hear Mr Davidson's initial outburst whilst monitoring the live feed, despite the programme operating on a two-hour delay.

A subsequent use of the same word during Wunmi Mosaku's acceptance speech was identified and removed.

Speaking to Variety after the incident, Mr Davidson took aim at the BBC and event organisers for the handling of the situation.

He criticised the placement of a microphone near his seat, despite organisers knowing he would tic throughout.

The Tourette's campaigner was also keen to clarify: "I want to be really clear that the intent behind them [the tics] is zero.

"What you're hearing is a symptom - not my character, not my thought, not my belief."

Mr Davidson said he felt a "wave of shame an embarrassment" after shouting the racial slur.

"Tourette's can feel spiteful and searches out the most upsetting tic for me personally and for those around me," he explained.

"What you hear me shouting is literally the last thing in the world I believe; it is the opposite of what I believe.

"The most offensive word that I ticked at the ceremony, for example, is a word I would never use and would completely condemn if I did not have Tourette's."