Delroy Lindo has said he and his co-presenter “did what we had to do” after the N-word was shouted from the audience during the 2026 BAFTAs.
Delroy Lindo has said he and his co-presenter ‘did what we had to do’ after the N-word was shouted from the audience during the 2026 BAFTAs
The actor, 73, was presenting the award for best visual effects alongside Michael B. Jordan, 39, when the slur was heard in the auditorium as they handed the prize to Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Breaking his silence on the incident to Vanity Fair at one of the official after-parties, Delroy addressed the incident, which occurred during the ceremony and was later broadcast on the BBC, and added he wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us (himself and Michael) afterwards”.
The racial slur shout was issued involuntarily by John Davidson, 54, who has been diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome.
John attended the awards as the subject of the nominated biopic I Swear.
The film’s leading actor, Robert Aramayo, 33, won best actor for portraying John, whose condition causes involuntary vocal tics.
Variety reported: “A number of outbursts from Davidson could be heard throughout the BAFTA ceremony, including ‘shut the f*** up’ being shouted during an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt and ‘f*** you’ when the directors of Boong, which won the BAFTA for best children’s and family film, accepted their award.”
Sources told Variety after the ceremony floor managers warned guests seated near John about his condition, without specifying what kinds of outbursts they might hear.
According to multiple sources, none of the nominees or attendees were contacted by BAFTA or the BBC in advance with any such warnings.
During the ceremony, host Alan Cumming, 61, addressed the audience after several outbursts, including the use of the N-word.
Alan said: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience.”
He added: “Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
Later in the broadcast, Alan said: “Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you are offended tonight.”
The incident prompted further scrutiny when the tape-delayed BBC broadcast aired later that evening with the slur still audible.
After removing the ceremony from iPlayer on Monday (23.02.26) afternoon, a BBC spokesperson said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards.
“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette’s syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.
“We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”