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The BBC apologized on Sunday for “strong and offensive language” that was shouted during the recording of the British Academy Film Awards after a clip of an attendee shouting a racist slur at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo sparked outrage online.
“Sinners” stars Jordan and Lindo were on stage in London to present the night’s top prize, best visual effects, at the 79th annual awards ceremony, which took place on Sunday and was broadcast on the BBC. The actors, who are black, appeared to pause after the “N-word” was shouted at them, then continued their presentation.
(NBC News viewed the moment on the show. A U.S. broadcast of the ceremony on E! did not appear to beep the insult.)
Representatives for BAFTA, Jordan and Lindo did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A representative for Versant, which owns E!, did not immediately respond to inquiries before and after the insult aired.
A BBC spokesperson attributed the language outbursts to a participant with Tourette syndrome, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. defined as “a condition of the nervous system that causes people to make sudden, repeated twitches, movements, or sounds called “tics.” »
“Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement to NBC News. “This resulted from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologize for any offense caused by the language heard.”
Varietywho was in the audience at London’s Royal Festival Hall during the taping of the show, reported that the remark made during Jordan and Lindo’s introduction was not the only outburst. Someone reportedly shouted “shut up” as BAFTA president Sara Putt gave an introductory speech and “fuck you” as the award for best children’s and family film was accepted, Variety reported.
The publication identified the person who shouted the N-word as Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson. He was in attendance with the nominated film “I Swear,” which follows the story of his Tourette Syndrome diagnosis, his struggles and his journey to raise awareness. The title is a nod to his uncontrollable swearing associated with the syndrome.
NBC News was unable to confirm whether it was Davidson. The BBC did not respond to a follow-up request regarding who made the insult.
The film, which received critical acclaim in the UK — starring Robert Aramayo wins Sunday in the best actor category – will not be released in American cinemas until spring. Sony Pictures Classics, which regained the distribution rights, says on its website that the film will be released on April 24.
BAFTA host Alan Cumming acknowledged the “strong and offensive language” that was shouted during the show, including once after Aramayo’s victory.
“You may have heard some strong and offensive comments tonight. If you have seen the movie ‘I Swear,’ you will know that this movie is about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome,” Cumming told the audience. “Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you heard tonight are involuntary, meaning the person with Tourette syndrome has no control over their speech. We apologize if you were offended.”
The film’s director, Kirk Jones, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Representatives of Sony Pictures Classic and Bankside Films, who distributed the film in the UKalso did not immediately respond to requests for comment. NBC News did not immediately respond to a message sent to Davidson’s personal Instagram account.
This year’s BAFTAs also marked a historic moment for “Sinners” director Ryan Coogler, who became the first black man to win best original screenplay. The vampire thriller won three awards in total.
