The BBC has initiated a fast tracked internal investigation following the broadcast of a racial slur during the 2026 BAFTA Awards ceremony. The incident occurred while actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award on stage when an attendee was heard shouting an offensive term.
The individual involved was identified as Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson who later expressed deep regret for the outburst stating that it resulted from an involuntary tic related to his condition. Davidson said he was mortified by what happened and acknowledged the seriousness of the situation.
Despite a reported two hour delay between the live recording and its televised broadcast the offensive language was not removed before airing. The slur also remained accessible on the BBC’s streaming platform BBC iPlayer until the following morning prompting further criticism.
In a formal statement the BBC described the incident as a serious error. Director General Tim Davie has instructed the Executive Complaints Unit to carry out a rapid review and deliver a comprehensive response to those who lodged complaints. UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy welcomed the decision to investigate calling the broadcast of such language unacceptable and harmful and urging safeguards to prevent a repeat.
According to reports Warner Bros is believed to have raised immediate concerns during the event and requested the removal of the slur from the final broadcast. However the footage still aired. Davidson later said he believed stronger editorial checks should have been in place given his history of working with the BBC on documentaries about Tourette’s syndrome.
The controversy adds to recent challenges faced by the broadcaster. In 2025 the BBC apologised after failing to cut a livestream performance by Bob Vylan during coverage of the Glastonbury Festival which included a controversial chant. Following that episode the corporation said it would avoid live broadcasting performances considered high risk.
Separately Tim Davie is set to step down in April after previously announcing his resignation linked to editorial decisions surrounding an episode of Panorama that featured coverage related to Donald Trump. The former US president has filed a multibillion dollar defamation lawsuit against the BBC alleging that editing choices misrepresented remarks he made in 2021.
As the investigation proceeds the BBC faces renewed scrutiny over editorial oversight and broadcast standards during major live events.