BBC apologizes again for Baftas N-word incident as show removed from iPlayer for re-editing | Baftas 2026

The BBC has issued a fresh apology for its handling of an incident at the Bafta Film Awards which saw the N-word broadcast during BBC One’s coverage of the ceremony and remain overnight on BBC iPlayer. The BBC has now removed the show from iPlayer and says it will re-edit it amid growing backlash.

The BBC said in a statement: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from verbal tics associated with Tourette’s Syndrome, and as we made clear during the ceremony was not intentional. We apologize that this was not deleted prior to broadcast and will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”

The incident was sparked by Tourette Syndrome activist John Davidson, who attended the BAFTA Awards As He Swears, a film inspired by his life dealing with the hostility sparked by Tourette Syndrome, which was nominated for a number of awards. He was heard shouting several times during the ceremony, including the N-word while actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were on stage to present the top award of the evening.

During the ceremony, BAFTA host Alan Cumming made announcements explaining the situation, saying: “Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person with Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you felt offended tonight.”

Figures including actors Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce expressed their dismay, with Foxx calling it “unacceptable” and Pierce saying: “It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t full-throated.” [sic] I apologize to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan. Insulting them takes priority. “It doesn’t matter what the racial slur was.” Hannah Beachler, the production designer on Sinners, said on social media that she had also had a racist slur directed at her, and criticized what she called a “wrong” Bafta apology.

However, the organization has yet to address why the slur was not deleted from the original broadcast, while Akinola Davis Jr.’s comment referring to the war between Israel and Gaza, and Cumming’s joke appearing to refer to Donald Trump, were deleted. The BAFTA Film Awards were shown on BBC One on Sunday with a two-hour delay.

BAFTA has also been contacted for comment.