BBC orders quick investigation into BAFTA broadcast slur

British broadcaster has apologised for failing to edit out a racial slur shouted by a guest with Tourette syndrome.Published On 25 Feb 2026The BBC said it will carry out a streamlined probe into its coverage of the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) after failing to censor a racial slur towards Black people.The British broadcaster, which aired the awards on a two-hour delay, announced the upcoming investigation on Wednesday after growing backlash over the incident.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Warner Bros gets new offer from Paramount but still recommends Netflix bidlist 2 of 4French authorities raid X offices in Paris, summon Musk in cybercrime probelist 3 of 4Russia bans WhatsApp, pushes state-backed alternativelist 4 of 4FCC reject claims of censorship, announces probe into US show The Viewend of listThe slur was shouted out by a guest with Tourette syndrome – a motor disorder that can cause repetitive sounds, including inappropriate language – as two Black actors presented an award.The guest, activist John Davidson, was the real-life inspiration behind a BAFTA-nominated film, I Swear, that promoted awareness about people with Tourette syndrome.The obscene language was heard in the final broadcast as well as on the BBC’s streaming service until Monday morning.‘Opposite of what I believe’Davidson said he “felt a wave of shame” over what happened and is “mortified” ⁠if anyone mistook his involuntary tics as deliberate.“I want people to know and understand that my tics have absolutely nothing to do with what I think, feel or believe,” Davidson said in an interview with Variety.“It’s an involuntary neurological misfire. My tics are not an intention, not a choice and not a reflection of my values. What you hear me shouting is literally the last thing in the world I believe; it is the opposite of what I believe,” he added.The BBC said it was a “serious mistake” not to edit out the slur. Its Executive Complaints Unit was tasked with carrying out a “fast-tracked investigation and provide a full response to complainants”.BBC News reported producers monitoring the event, which removed another racial slur from the broadcast, did not hear a second slur. It quoted a note from the broadcaster’s content chief, Kate Phillips, to staff: “We would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast.”