Delroy Lindo said he wished someone from BAFTA had spoken to him and Michael B. Jordan after a racial slur was shouted while they presented an award at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards. He described having only an instant to register what he heard before continuing to read the teleprompter. His criticism concerned BAFTA’s communication with the presenters—not an accusation that John Davidson deliberately targeted them.
What happened at the BAFTA Film Awards
During the 2026 ceremony, Sinners actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were presenting an award when Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson shouted a racial slur. Davidson said the outburst was an involuntary tic and “not a reflection of my personal beliefs,” as the Associated Press reported on February 23.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Up | $3.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Lilo & Stitch / Lilo & Stitch: Stitch Has A Glitch Two-Movie Collection (Three Disc Blu-ray / DVD... | $9.14 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
The Last Castle | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Up (Bonus Content) | $20.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
The Devil's Advocate | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The ceremony was later broadcast by the BBC on a delay, and the word was audible in the program. That brought two distinct responses into focus: BAFTA’s treatment of the presenters after the incident, and the BBC’s responsibility for what went out in its broadcast.
What Lindo said about the moment
In an interview with NPR’s Fresh Air, reported by The Guardian on March 6, Lindo recalled that he was concentrating on presenting and reading the teleprompter. He said he had only a brief moment to question what he had heard before carrying on:
#1 Best Overall
“There was a nanosecond, a nano of a nano of a nanosecond, when I’m thinking: ‘Wait, did I just hear what I thought I heard?’ But then, and it truly was a nanosecond, one had to read the teleprompter and get on with presenting the award.”
Lindo also said he wished “someone from Bafta spoke to us afterwards.” The Guardian reported this as his account of what he wanted in the immediate aftermath, not as a later formal statement from him.
Rank #2
Why Lindo criticized BAFTA’s response
Lindo’s reported criticism was about being approached after an upsetting public moment. He and Jordan continued with the presentation, but Lindo’s account makes clear that continuing onstage did not mean he had time to process what happened or that follow-up was unnecessary. He wanted someone from BAFTA to speak with them afterward.
BAFTA apologized to Lindo and Jordan, thanked them for their dignity and professionalism, and acknowledged that the language caused deep pain. The Associated Press quoted BAFTA describing the language as “offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many” and praising the presenters’ “incredible dignity and professionalism.”
Rank #3
What the BBC later found about the broadcast
The BBC separately apologized for failing to edit the word from its delayed broadcast. In an April 8 report, ITV News said the BBC Executive Complaints Unit found that including it was “highly offensive” and “had no editorial justification,” while also finding that the broadcast was unintentional.
The unit said the word should have been removed from the iPlayer version when the event finished. The report attributed a delay of several hours to uncertainty about whether the first occurrence had been audible. A second occurrence about ten minutes later was recognized and edited out.
Rank #4
The Guardian reported that the BBC’s later account said the edit team had been unaware of the first occurrence and mistakenly believed instructions to remove slurs had been carried out. The program was taken down after staff revisited the issue the following morning. The BBC later sent apology letters to Lindo, Jordan and Davidson.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to distinguish the responsibilities
- Davidson’s involuntary tic: Davidson said the slur was involuntary and did not express his beliefs. That does not erase the harm caused by hearing it.
- BAFTA’s response to the presenters: Lindo’s reported wish was for someone from the organizing body to speak with him and Jordan afterward. BAFTA apologized and thanked them for their professionalism.
- The BBC’s editorial responsibility: The broadcaster’s complaints unit found that airing the word had no editorial justification, even though the broadcast was unintentional.
The Guardian also reported on February 24 that a source close to Warner Bros said studio executives raised the incident with BAFTA during the ceremony, requested that it be removed from the broadcast, and were told the request would be passed to the BBC. That is attributed reporting from a source close to the studio, not an official finding by BAFTA or the BBC.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
