Why BBC failed to cut John Davidson’s involuntary slur?

BBC has officially apologised following the incident in which a racial slur was aired on its air.

This incident which almost immediately became a point of contention as the outburst happened when Michael on the 2026 British Academy Film Awards.

Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on the stage and giving out the first award, when a word came out of the A-lister audience that shocked everyone.

John Davidson, who is a Scottish campaigner for Tourette syndrome whose life nominated biopic I Swear is based on, shouted the remark. 

The 54-year-old actor has the syndrome of Tourette and suffers involuntary verbal tics. 

A statement by the BBC stated, “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language…"

They added, "This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused.”

Host, Alan Cumming talked to the crowd, “Tourette’s syndrome is a disability… the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person has no control over their language.”

This ceremony was broadcast aired with a two-hour delay, but the comment was not cut before airing on BBC One and iPlayer, which received criticism on the internet. 

Davidson eventually got out of the event, then the broadcaster apologized once again.