Following racist remarks made during the BAFTAs when two Black actors were on stage, the BBC has apologised.
A clip of an audience member shouting offensive words surfaced online. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, star of Vampire Horror Sinners, presented the first awards of the evening on Sunday night.
Both men stopped after hearing the insult, then continued their presentation.
American entertainment outlet Variety reported other incidents throughout the ceremony, including one man yelling, “Shut the fuck up.” BAFTA speaker Sarah Putt and someone saying “F*** you” while accepting the award for Best Children’s and Family Film.
BBC: A man suffering from Tourette syndrome was blamed for these outbursts.
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A spokesperson said, “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards 2026.
“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard.”
This abuse can still be heard on the BBC iPlayer.
According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes you to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements – called tics.
There is no cure for this condition, but it can be controlled through treatment. Tics can occur due to stress, excitement, or fatigue.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says only about one in 10 people with the condition suffer from coprolalia, where there is excessive or uncontrolled use of inappropriate language.
Read more on BAFTA:
Full list of winners
award as it happened
Host Alan Cumming also acknowledged the “strong and offensive language” shouted during the ceremony.
He told the audience, “If you’ve seen the movie ‘I Swear’, you’ll know that the movie is about the experience of a person suffering from Tourette syndrome.
“Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you heard tonight are involuntary, meaning that the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language.
“We apologise if you were offended.”
It comes after the British newcomer, Robert Aramayo, wins the Best Actor Award. At the BAFTAs, he defeated Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio for his performance in I Swear.
The film tells the real-life story of Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson.
