Bafta apologises 'unreservedly' after independent review into racial slur

Bafta has apologised “unreservedly” to the black and disability communities after a racial slur was broadcast during its 2026 film awards.

The arts charity added that an independent review found “a number of structural weaknesses” in its planning for the event.

During the ceremony in February, disability campaigner John Davidson, who has Tourette’s, could be heard shouting a racial slur as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for special visual effects.

Following the incident, the Bafta board commissioned an independent review by RISE Associates to examine what happened and what must change moving forward, the charity’s statement said.

“The review, which is now complete, identified a number of structural weaknesses in BAFTA’s planning, escalation procedures and crisis coordination arrangements.

“However, it did not find evidence of malicious intent on the part of those involved in delivering the event. We accept its conclusions in full.

Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson could be heard shouting during the Bafta film awards. / Credit: PA

“We apologise unreservedly to the Black community, for whom the racist language used carries real pain, brutality, and trauma; to the disability community, including people with Tourette Syndrome, for whom this incident has led to unfair judgement, stigma, and distress,” Bafta said.

The charity also said it apologises to “all our members, guests at the ceremony and those watching at home”, adding: “What was supposed to be a moment of celebration was diminished and overshadowed.

“We have written to those directly impacted on the night to apologise.

“The review is clear that while this was not a failure of intent, BAFTA’s planning and processes have not kept pace with its diversity and inclusion goals.

“We did not adequately anticipate or fully prepare for the impact of such an incident in a live event environment and as a result our duty of care to everyone at the ceremony and watching at home fell short.”

The academy said work is under way as a “priority” to address the areas of improvement specified in the review, carried out by Rise Associates, to “reduce the risk of this happening again”.

It comes after an investigation found the BBC breached its editorial standards when it broadcast the slur.

An investigation by the BBC’s executive complaints unit (ECU) found the inclusion of the slur was “highly offensive” and “had no editorial justification”, but it added that broadcasting it was unintentional.

It went on to say the slur should have been edited out of the version of coverage available on iPlayer when the event finished, but said a delay of several hours was caused by “a lack of clarity among the team as to whether the N-word was audible on the recording”.

The ECU added the delay was “a serious mistake, because there could be no certainty that the word would be inaudible to all viewers”.

The report confirmed the BBC’s chief content officer has sent letters of apology to Lindo, Jordan and Davidson.