BAFTA & BBC Apologize Over Racial Slur; Judge Resigns

BAFTA and BBC Apologize After Racial Slur Mars Awards Ceremony; Judge Resigns

A racial slur targeting Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo at the recent BAFTA Awards has led to apologies from BAFTA and the BBC, and a filmmaker quitting as a judge.

Ryan Kowalski

Feb 25, 2026, 12:46 AM PT · 2 min read

A racial slur targeting Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo at the BAFTAs prompted apologies and a re

THE RUNDOWN

A racial slur was shouted at actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during the recent BAFTA Awards ceremony.
The slur came from John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner, who later expressed being "deeply mortified" by his involuntary tic.
Both BAFTA and the BBC have issued apologies for the incident and for the slur being broadcast.
Filmmaker Jonte Richardson resigned from a BAFTA judging panel, citing the organization's "utterly unforgivable" handling of the event.
The BBC initially aired the slur during its delayed broadcast but later removed it from its streaming platform.

The recent BAFTA Awards ceremony was overshadowed by a deeply offensive incident when a racial slur was shouted at actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo while they were on stage. The highly offensive term was uttered by John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner whose life inspired the BAFTA-nominated film, “I Swear.” Both the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and the BBC have issued apologies following the incident.

The slur was heard as Jordan and Lindo, stars of the film “Sinners,” presented the award for special visual effects. The BBC, which aired the ceremony on a two-hour delay, initially broadcast the slur, although it was later removed from its iPlayer streaming service. BBC's chief content officer, Kate Phillips, expressed regret to staff, stating she was “so sorry that a racial slur was not edited out of our broadcast.” BAFTA apologized “unreservedly” to Jordan and Lindo, acknowledging the “profoundly offensive term” and thanking the actors for their “incredible dignity and professionalism.” Davidson later stated he was “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional.”

In a significant fallout, Black British filmmaker Jonte Richardson has resigned from the BAFTA emerging talent judging panel. Richardson cited the organization's “utterly unforgivable” handling of the situation and its alleged repeated failure to protect the dignity of its Black guests and the Black creative community. Delroy Lindo also expressed disappointment, noting he wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards.” The incident has sparked broader conversations about inclusion and accountability within the awards industry.