BBC apologizes after racial slur shouted during BAFTA awards by guest with Tourette’s
LONDON — The British Film Academy and the BBC have apologized to viewers after a spectator with Tourette’s syndrome made a racist slur at the British Academy Film Awards ceremony.
The highly offensive word could be heard as “Sinners” stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for best visual effects at Sunday’s ceremony.
Host Alan Cumming had earlier told the audience that one of the guests at the ceremony was John Davidson, a Scottish campaigner for people with Tourette syndrome who inspired the BAFTA-nominated film “I Swear”.
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations, including the pronunciation of inappropriate words.
After the outburst, Cumming apologized to the audience at London’s Royal Festival Hall for his “strong and offensive language.”
“Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you heard tonight are involuntary, meaning the person with Tourette syndrome has no control over their speech,” Cumming said. “We apologize if you were offended.”
The British Academy of Cinema and Television Arts referred to Cumming’s statement when asked for comment on Monday.
The epithet could be heard when the BBC broadcast the ceremony approximately two hours after the event live. The broadcaster apologized on Monday, although the offensive word could still be heard on its streaming site.
“This resulted from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and was unintentional,” he said in a statement. “We apologize for any offense caused by the language heard.”
“I Swear” won two BAFTAs, including best actor for Robert Aramayo, who plays Davidson.
Ed Palmer, vice-chairman of the charity Tourettes Action, said the BBC should have considered airing the insult.
“It really is one of the most striking examples where something that constitutes a disability can, quite understandably, cause enormous offense to someone,” he told Times Radio. “So if it’s pre-recorded now, then having it beeped, for example, might be a reasonable compromise.”
