BBC faces backlash after broadcasting racial slur shouted by John Davidson at BAFTAs in London but cutting Akinola Davies Jr’s Free Palestine statement from acceptance speech

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards have ignited a heated debate over how the BBC handled its coverage of the ceremony.

Audiences were quick to express their anger after the broadcaster cut a “Free Palestine” remark from filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr.’s acceptance speech, while simultaneously airing a racial slur shouted by Tourette’s activist John Davidson.

This clash has raised serious questions about editorial decisions, the responsibilities of public broadcasters, and how sensitive content should be handled in live or pre-recorded events.

The N-Word Incident That Shook Viewers

During the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Davidson, who is the subject of the film I Swear, involuntarily shouted the N-word while presenting alongside actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.

The outburst was linked to Davidson’s Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition that causes sudden and uncontrollable verbal tics.

Jordan and Lindo did not visibly react, but host Alan Cumming later apologized on air, explaining that the words were involuntary and tied to Davidson’s condition.

Davidson left the ceremony in the second half, and his outbursts were no longer audible after that.

Despite the BBC broadcasting the event with a two-hour delay, millions of viewers still heard the racial slur.

The Corporation has since issued an apology for any offense caused, and the clip remains accessible on BBC iPlayer, continuing to draw attention and criticism.

A “Free Palestine” Remark Silenced

In stark contrast to Davidson’s incident, Akinola Davies Jr.’s speech was edited for television.

After winning the BAFTA for Outstanding British Debut for My Father’s Shadow, Davies Jr. dedicated his award to migrants and people living under oppression.

He closed his speech by saying, “For Nigeria, for London, the Congo, Sudan, free Palestine.”

The BBC removed this politically charged section from the broadcast, instead showing Davies Jr. thanking his family and his brother, Wale, for nurturing his creative spark.

The BBC defended its decision by citing the need to condense the live event, which lasted three hours, into a two-hour broadcast.

They added that all full speeches would be available on BAFTA’s official YouTube channel.

Nevertheless, the contrast between the two editorial decisions has fueled widespread outrage online.

Public Outrage and Criticism

Social media erupted with frustration, as viewers questioned the logic of airing a racial slur but cutting a political statement.

One user commented on the two-hour delay, noting it should have allowed time to bleep the offensive language while still broadcasting the “Free Palestine” remark.

Others expressed sympathy for Davidson’s condition but also highlighted the distress caused to Jordan and Lindo.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch condemned the BBC’s decision as “a horrible mistake,” emphasizing that the racial slur should have been censored.

Meanwhile, Ed Palmer, vice chairman of Tourette’s Action, acknowledged the challenge of balancing compassion for disability with the potential for offense.

He suggested that pre-recorded segments like this could have been bleeped without undermining the authenticity of the event.

BBC’s Track Record Under Scrutiny

This latest controversy follows previous backlash against the BBC over its handling of sensitive content.

In 2025, the Corporation faced criticism for streaming a Glastonbury performance by Bob Vylan, which included the chant “Death to the IDF.”

The broadcast prompted public outcry, with then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling it “appalling.”

The BBC eventually admitted to breaching editorial guidelines, and former director-general Tim Davie apologized to the Commons’ culture select committee, describing the broadcast as “deeply offensive” and “totally unacceptable.”

With the BAFTAs incident, the BBC’s consistency in editorial decisions is once again under scrutiny, particularly regarding how political speech and racially sensitive content are treated.

Highlights From the BAFTA Ceremony

Amid the controversy, the ceremony celebrated notable achievements.

Ryan Coogler became the first Black winner of the BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, which also won awards for Best Supporting Actress, awarded to Wunmi Mosaku, and Original Score.

These moments of triumph were accompanied by ongoing discussions about representation, inclusivity, and the responsibility of broadcasters in presenting live events.

What’s Next?

The BAFTA and BBC controversy is likely to trigger a review of editorial policies for live and pre-recorded broadcasts.

Audiences, advocacy groups, and political figures may push for clearer guidelines on handling involuntary outbursts linked to disabilities, as well as politically sensitive statements.

John Davidson may issue a public statement regarding the incident, while discussions about freedom of speech, disability awareness, and editorial fairness continue.

In the meantime, full speeches remain accessible online, giving viewers the chance to see the unedited content and draw their own conclusions.

Summary

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards have become a focal point for debates about broadcast ethics and inclusivity.

John Davidson’s involuntary N-word outburst aired on the BBC, while Akinola Davies Jr.’s “Free Palestine” statement was edited out.

The BBC cited time constraints for the edits but apologized for any offense caused.

Critics and viewers questioned the consistency of these editorial decisions, pointing to past controversies, including Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury broadcast.

Despite the uproar, the ceremony celebrated landmark wins, including Ryan Coogler’s historic screenplay award and recognition for Sinners, highlighting the intersection of achievement and controversy in this year’s BAFTAs.