BBC orders fast-track internal investigation after racial slur broadcasted during BAFTA

BAFTA 2026

The Director-General of the BBC has ordered a fast-tracked internal investigation after a racial slur was broadcast during the BAFTA ceremony earlier this week. The broadcaster called the incident a "serious mistake" and confirmed that its Executive Complaints Unit will review how the remark was aired despite a two-hour delay between filming and transmission.

BBC orders probe into BAFT broadcast blunder

Tourette's campaigner John Davidson, who inspired one of the winning films, said he was "deeply mortified" after shouting the N-word during the ceremony, attributing it to an involuntary tic. The slur was heard while actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were presenting an award. The remark also remained available on the BBC's streaming platform iPlayer until the following morning.

Director-General Tim Davie has instructed the Executive Complaints Unit to complete a swift inquiry and respond to viewers. The move was welcomed by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who described the broadcast of the slur as "completely unacceptable and harmful."

The controversy follows earlier criticism of the BBC's coverage of the Glastonbury Festival, when a livestream of punk-rap duo Bob Vylan included an anti-Israel chant. The broadcaster later apologised and announced it would no longer live-stream performances deemed "high risk."

Reports suggest that Warner Bros. raised immediate concerns about the BAFTA slur and requested its removal, but it remained in the final broadcast. Davidson, who has previously worked with the BBC on documentaries, said the broadcaster should have anticipated the risks associated with Tourette's and taken stronger precautions.

The BBC acknowledged the error made during the BAFTA broadcast and ordered an urgent probe as political and industry scrutiny intensifies.

What John Davidson said about his involuntary action?

After the incident, Scottish Tourette's syndrome activist John Davidson spoke to Variety about his involuntary vocal tics disrupted the 79th BAFTA Awards, including the use of offensive slurs during the live ceremony. Davidson described the distress he experienced on the night and clarified that his words were the result of an involuntary neurological response- not intent.

During the event, his vocal tics were audible as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award. Davidson's team has since confirmed that he has reached out to the studio handling Sinners to directly apologise to Jordan, Lindo and production designer Hannah Beachler.

Addressing widespread coverage of the incident, Davidson said many people misunderstand Tourette's syndrome, particularly the symptom known as coprolalia- the involuntary use of obscene or offensive language. He added that it remains one of the hardest tics to manage and can cause significant distress.

Davidson stressed that his tics "have absolutely nothing to do with what I think, feel or believe".

He acknowledged that one of the offensive words uttered during the ceremony was a racial slur, saying he fully understands its historical and modern significance. However, he clarified that he ticked "perhaps 10 different offensive words" throughout the evening and that the focus on a single term has created a misleading impression.

"What you're hearing is a symptom -- not my character, not my thought, not my belief," he said, in an interview with Variety.

(with inputs from AFP)