Bafta Apologizes After Racial Slur Incident at Awards Show

Review finds organization fell short in duty of care, but no malicious intent behind outburst.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:20am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A striking black and white illustration featuring sharp, jagged geometric shapes in a bold, minimalist style, conveying the tension and impact of a racial slur being shouted during a live event.A minimalist, abstract illustration captures the complex emotions surrounding a racial slur incident that disrupted a celebratory awards show.Los Angeles Today

An independent review has found that the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) fell short in its duty of care when a racial slur was shouted during its awards ceremony in February 2026. The incident involved a Tourette's campaigner who involuntarily yelled the n-word while two Black actors, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, were on stage presenting an award. Bafta has apologized unreservedly and acknowledged that its planning and processes did not keep pace with its diversity and inclusion goals.

Why it matters

The incident highlighted the challenges Bafta faces in balancing accessibility and inclusion for participants with the safety and dignity of others in attendance and watching at home. While the review found no evidence of malicious intent, it did identify structural weaknesses in Bafta's planning, escalation procedures, and crisis coordination that allowed the traumatic incident to occur during a celebratory event.

The details

During the Bafta awards ceremony, Tourette's campaigner John Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur while Jordan and Lindo were on stage. Bafta acknowledged that the organization did not "adequately anticipate or fully prepare for the impact of such an incident in a live event environment," and that its "duty of care to everyone at the ceremony and watching at home fell short." The independent review, conducted by Rise Associates, found a number of structural weaknesses in Bafta's planning and processes, but did not find evidence of malicious intent. Bafta has committed to improving its escalation processes, strengthening its planning for accessibility and inclusion at events, and addressing any internal cultural gaps that may prevent the organization from meeting its diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.

  • The incident occurred during the Bafta awards ceremony in February 2026.
  • Bafta published the independent review on April 10, 2026.

The players

John Davidson

A Tourette's campaigner who involuntarily shouted a racial slur during the Bafta awards ceremony.

Michael B. Jordan

A Black actor who was on stage presenting an award when the racial slur was shouted.

Delroy Lindo

A Black actor who was on stage presenting an award with Michael B. Jordan when the racial slur was shouted.

Bafta

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the organization that hosts the annual Bafta awards ceremony.

Rise Associates

The independent organization that conducted the review of Bafta's handling of the incident.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What was supposed to be a moment of celebration was diminished and overshadowed.”

— Bafta

“I want to be really clear that the intent behind them [the tics] is zero. What you're hearing is a symptom - not my character, not my thought, not my belief.”

— John Davidson, Tourette's campaigner

“Tourette's can feel spiteful and searches out the most upsetting tic for me personally and for those around me. The most offensive word that I ticked at the ceremony, for example, is a word I would never use and would completely condemn if I did not have Tourette's.”

— John Davidson, Tourette's campaigner

What’s next

Bafta has stated that it is already working to address the specific areas of improvement recommended in the independent review to reduce the risk of a similar incident occurring at future events.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the complex challenges organizations like Bafta face in balancing accessibility, inclusion, and safety, especially in live event environments. While Bafta acknowledged its planning and processes fell short, the review found no evidence of malicious intent, underscoring the need for continued work to align an organization's diversity and inclusion goals with its operational practices.