The BBC has apologised for airing a racial slur from its Bafta Film Awards coverage after a guest with Tourette syndrome shouted the N-word while two black actors were on stage.
John Davidson, whose life story inspired the nominated film “I Swear”, shouted the N-word while “Sinners” stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first prize of the ceremony on Sunday.
The moment was not edited out of the BBC One broadcast, which was shown on a two-hour delay, and remained on BBC iPlayer on Monday morning before being removed.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch told Good Morning Britain the BBC had made “a horrible mistake” by not editing it out at the time, adding: “I think an apology is important, they need to explain why it wasn’t bleeped out.”
Tourette syndrome
In its statement, the BBC said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards.
“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.”
Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalisations called tics – these include blinking, throat clearing or shouting words or phrases (coprolalia).
Many individuals with Tourette’s feel a physical urge or sensation that is alleviated by the tic.
Individuals can hold back their tics for some time, but they cannot stop the tics from occurring.
Pippa McClounan, communications manager of the Tourette’s Action charity, told BBC News: “What we’ve got to try and remember is, as much as these words do cause hurt and shock in people, it’s really vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette’s syndrome, that the tics are involuntary, and they are in no way reflection of what that person is thinking and their beliefs.
“It’s not what their intention is or what their character’s like. It’s involuntary. It’s a neurological condition. It’s so complex to try and understand why this happens.”
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Host apologises if audience was offended
Davidson, a Tourette’s campaigner, shouted loudly several times before and during the Bafta ceremony. He left the venue during the event, reportedly of his own accord.
Host Alan Cumming later told the audience: “You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film ‘I Swear’, you will know that [the] film is about the experience of a person with Tourette’s syndrome.
“Tourette’s syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended.”
Hannah Beachler, the production designer from the film “Sinners”, responded to the apology by the host, writing on X: “The situation is almost impossible, but it happened three times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show.
“I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through.
“But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show. Of course we were offended.”
“I Swear” follows Davidson’s struggle growing up with Tourette’s in 1980s Scotland and was awarded Best British Film at this year’s Baftas.
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Lucia Caporalini 
Kamille Q. Cabreza