Delroy Lindo Reflects on Baftas Racial Slur Incident

Actor says he processed the slur in a 'nanosecond' while presenting an award with Michael B. Jordan.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Delroy Lindo, who was presenting an award at the Baftas with Michael B. Jordan, has shared his immediate reaction when an audience member with Tourette's syndrome shouted a racial slur during the ceremony. Lindo said he briefly thought 'Wait, did I just hear what I thought I heard?' but then quickly refocused on his presenting duties. The Baftas has faced criticism for failing to edit out the offensive language from the broadcast.

Why it matters

The incident at the Baftas highlights the challenges that can arise when live events feature individuals with conditions like Tourette's syndrome, which can result in involuntary outbursts. It also raises questions about how organizers and broadcasters should handle such situations to be respectful of all involved.

The details

During the Baftas ceremony, Lindo and Jordan were presenting an award when audience member John Davidson, a Tourette's campaigner, experienced a tic that caused him to shout a racial slur. Lindo said he had an immediate reaction, thinking 'Wait, did I just hear what I thought I heard?' but then refocused on his job of reading the teleprompter. Lindo's wife noticed he adjusted his glasses, a sign something was wrong, but Lindo said he let the concern leave his mind 'in a nanosecond' in order to continue presenting.

  • The Baftas ceremony took place last month.
  • Lindo said he only discussed the incident with Jordan last Sunday.

The players

Delroy Lindo

A 73-year-old actor who was presenting an award at the Baftas when the racial slur incident occurred. Lindo received an Oscar nomination for his role in the film Sinners.

Michael B. Jordan

An actor who was co-presenting the award with Lindo at the Baftas.

John Davidson

An audience member at the Baftas who has Tourette's syndrome and experienced a tic that caused him to shout a racial slur.

Lindo's wife

Noticed that Lindo adjusted his glasses, a sign that something was wrong during the incident.

Bafta

The organization that hosts the Baftas film awards ceremony and has faced criticism for failing to edit out the racial slur from the broadcast.

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What they’re saying

“Wait, did I just hear what I thought I heard?”

— Delroy Lindo, Actor (Fresh Air)

“Now, a couple of people who know – my wife says that I adjusted my glasses, and she said she knew when I adjusted my glasses that something was happening internally.”

— Delroy Lindo, Actor (Fresh Air)

“It truly was a nanosecond. One had to read the teleprompter and get on with presenting the award. So, you know, there was no time at all.”

— Delroy Lindo, Actor (Fresh Air)

“I have made four documentaries with the BBC in the past, and feel that they should have been aware of what to expect from Tourette's and worked harder to prevent anything that I said ... from being included in the broadcast.”

— John Davidson, Tourette's campaigner (Interview)

“With hindsight, I have to question whether this was wise, so close to where I was seated, knowing I would tic.”

— John Davidson, Tourette's campaigner (Interview)

What’s next

Bafta has stated it is taking 'full responsibility' for the incident and has launched an internal investigation. The organization has also apologized 'unreservedly' to Lindo, Jordan, and all those impacted.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for event organizers and broadcasters to be more aware of and prepared for situations involving individuals with conditions like Tourette's syndrome, in order to handle them sensitively and avoid further offense. It also underscores the importance of live event editing and the responsibility of media outlets to prevent the airing of offensive language.