BAFTA Awards 2026 were meant to celebrate the best in film. Instead, the night has turned into a major controversy for the BBC. The broadcaster removed the full ceremony from BBC iPlayer after a racial slur was heard during the BBC One broadcast. The unedited version stayed online for several hours. This delay in action led to strong backlash from viewers.
The incident happened on Sunday (February 22). Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson MBE was in the audience. During the show, he experienced involuntary verbal tics. One tic included the N-word, which was clearly audible on television. At that moment, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award on stage.
BBC Pulls Down BAFTAs 2026 From iPlayer, Promises Re-Edited Version
The ceremony aired with a two-hour delay. However, the slur was not edited out. BBC producers later said they did not hear the outburst from the production truck. As a result, it was broadcast on BBC One and later uploaded to iPlayer.
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By Monday morning, 23 February, the BBC pulled the programme for urgent re-editing. The corporation apologised and said the language was “non-intentional” and linked to a medical condition.
Host Alan Cumming addressed the audience during the event. He explained that the “strong and offensive language” was caused by a disability and “was not intentional.”
Davidson later shared his feelings. He said he was “deeply mortified” and left early to avoid causing more distress.
BAFTA Awards 2026 Slur Row Sparks Wider Debate
The BAFTA Awards 2026 controversy has raised serious questions about broadcast safeguards. Many critics believe a two-hour delay should have prevented the slur from airing.
Kemi Badenoch called the incident a “horrible mistake” and questioned why the word was not bleeped. While the slur was left in, the BBC had edited out a political statement by filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. In his speech, he said, “Free Palestine.” This difference in editing decisions sparked fresh criticism online.
Production designer Hannah Beachler described the BBC’s response as a “throw-away apology.” She added that the incident caused “incomparable trauma and pain” for those affected by the language.
Meanwhile, Tourettes Action urged the public to show compassion. The charity reminded viewers that Tourette syndrome can include involuntary speech. It stressed that Davidson did not intend harm.
Meanwhile, several popular celebs like Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt and Oppenheimer‘s Cillian Murphy made an appearance at the ceremony as award presenters.
