BAFTA 2026 N-Word Controversy: Judge Resigns After Blunder

BAFTA Rocked by 'N-Word' Controversy, Judge Resigns Over Broadcast Blunder

The 2026 BAFTA Awards saw Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson utter a racial slur, leading to a BBC apology, a comprehensive BAFTA review, and the resignation of judge Jonte Richardson.

Ryan Kowalski

Feb 26, 2026, 9:50 AM PT · 2 min read

Judge Jonte Richardson resigned after a racial slur aired at the BAFTA Awards.

THE RUNDOWN

Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson used a racial slur at the 2026 BAFTA Awards.
BBC aired the uncensored slur during its delayed broadcast.
BBC and BAFTA issued apologies; BAFTA launched a review.
BAFTA judge Jonte Richardson resigned over the handling of the incident.
Actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were on stage during the incident.

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony, broadcast on Sunday, February 22, 2026, has been overshadowed by a significant controversy following the airing of a racial slur. During the event, Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson, whose life story inspired the film I Swear, used the N-word as actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were presenting the award for special visual effects. Davidson later stated he was "deeply mortified" if his involuntary verbal tics, a symptom of Tourette syndrome, caused offense and explained he left the auditorium early due to the distress his tics were causing.

The BBC, which broadcast the ceremony with a two-hour delay, faced immediate backlash for failing to edit out the offensive language. A BBC spokesperson issued an apology, acknowledging that "some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language" and confirmed the slur was not intentional, arising from involuntary tics. The broadcaster stated the segment would be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.

In response to the incident and its handling, BAFTA announced a comprehensive review and issued its own apology, acknowledging the "incomparable trauma and pain" caused. Filmmaker Jonte Richardson, a juror on BAFTA's emerging talent judging panel, publicly resigned from his role. In a statement on LinkedIn, Richardson condemned BAFTA's handling of the "unfortunate Tourette's N-word incident" as "utterly unforgivable," citing the organization's repeated failure to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members, and the Black creative community.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion, with figures like host Alan Cumming offering an apology during the ceremony and politicians like Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticizing the BBC for not censoring the word. Warner Bros., the studio behind Sinners, reportedly raised concerns with BAFTA staff immediately following the live incident.