The BBC issued a public apology on Sunday after leaving an uncensored clip from the Bafta Film Awards on its website for several hours, in which a guest with Tourette’s syndrome shouted a racial slur while two Black actors were on stage.
"We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast, and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer," stated a spokesperson of the BBC, which also explained that the shout was audible in the broadcast even if many viewers would have struggled to make out the word.
John Davidson, whose life story inspired the film I Swear, was the guest who shouted during the broadcast as Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first prize of the ceremony.
The BBC did not broadcast the show live. Rather, it was shown with a two-hour delay, while the uncensored version remained on the main portal until Monday morning.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called the BBC's actions "a horrible mistake," and said, "I think an apology is important; they need to explain why it wasn't bleeped out."
"Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony, it was not intentional," the BBC statement added.
Celebrities react to Tourette’s incident at Baftas
A number of celebrities reacted to Davidson's shouting during the ceremony.
"Unacceptable,” Actor Jamie Foxx commented in a social media post, adding, “Nah, he meant that s***."
“Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanised so that other people don’t feel bad,” said journalist Jemele Hill.
Actor Wendell Pierce also commented on the incident, stating, “It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full-throated [sic] apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan. The insult to them takes priority. It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur.”
During the ceremony, host Alan Cumming asserted that David's shouting was involuntary and apologized to those who had been offended.
“Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight.”
After the ceremony, Davidson said he felt “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.”
“I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness, and understanding from others, and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early in the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.”