BAFTA Trophy
BAFTA Trophy Wikimedia Commons

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards have become the centre of a global conversation regarding Tourette's Syndrome following an incident at London's Royal Festival Hall on 22 February. During the ceremony, an invited guest with a severe form of the condition involuntarily shouted a racial slur during the live broadcast. The BBC has since apologised for failing to edit the remark from its delayed transmission.

Tourette's Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalisations known as tics. While public perception often associates the condition with swearing, clinicians note that only 10 to 15 per cent of those diagnosed experience coprolalia. This specific symptom involves the involuntary use of offensive language, which occurs independently of the individual's personal beliefs.

The guest involved in the incident was John Davidson, a Scottish campaigner for Tourette's awareness and the subject of the documentary I Swear. Davidson was attending the ceremony as an invited guest to celebrate the film industry's progress in disability representation. The high-pressure environment of the awards is a documented trigger for increased tic frequency and severity.

Broadcast Error and the Outburst in the Hall

The outburst occurred during a presentation by actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo for the Best Visual Effects award. As the presenters began their remarks, Davidson involuntarily shouted the racial slur. Other outbursts recorded during the night included profanities directed at the directors of the film Boong and a remark during a speech by BAFTA chair Sara Putt.

Davidson reportedly left the auditorium early after realising the distress his symptoms were causing to those in attendance. The incident resulted in a visible pause on stage, though the presenters continued with the ceremony. The BBC initially broadcast the event with a short delay, which is intended to allow for the removal of offensive content, but the slur was heard by millions of viewers, according to ITV News.

Responses from the BBC and BAFTA

In a statement released on 23 February, Davidson said he was 'deeply mortified' by the event. He emphasised that his tics are a neurological misfire and do not reflect his character. The host of the evening, Alan Cumming, addressed the audience twice during the ceremony to explain that Tourette's is a recognised disability and that the language used was entirely involuntary.

The BBC has issued a formal apology for the broadcast error and temporarily removed the ceremony from its iPlayer service to edit the footage. BAFTA officials also apologised 'unreservedly' to Jordan and Lindo, praising their professionalism. The organisation stated that it would review its protocols for live events to ensure better support for guests with severe neurological conditions.

Challenge of Inclusive Broadcasting

The incident has led to a wider examination of the mechanics of coprolalia. Experts from Tourettes Action describe tics as an uncontrollable physical urge, often compared to the necessity of sneezing. Coprolalia often involves the brain 'misfiring' the most inappropriate word for a specific setting, meaning an individual may shout the very phrase they are most anxious about uttering.

The BBC is now conducting an internal review into why the 30-minute broadcast delay failed to prevent the slur from reaching the public. Broadcasters typically use this time to mute or edit audio that violates Ofcom's standards on offensive language. The outcome of this review is expected to influence how televised live events manage the inclusion of individuals with severe vocal tics in the future.

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