Delroy Lindo issues statement after Tourette’s campaigner shouted racial slur during BAFTAs

The shout came from a sufferer of Tourette syndrome

The moment led to Jordan momentarily freezing upon hearing the word, before continuing.

“Good evening. Delroy and I are delighted to be presenting the first BAFTA of the night for a vital part of movie making,” he said.

Delroy then continued: “We’re here to celebrate the artists who expand what’s possible on screen.”

The slur was shouted by John Davidson, who is diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, and was in the BAFTAs audience as he's the subject of the biopic, I Swear.

Alan Cumming, presenter of the award ceremony, later issued an apology for the language viewers may have heard.

He said: “You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film I Swear, you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome.

“Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended.”

Now, Delroy Lindo has spoken out.

Speaking to Vanity Fair at a BAFTA after party, Lindo said that he and Michael B. Jordan 'did what we had to do', however he added that he wished 'someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards'.

The BBC has also issued an apology.

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.”

The film I Swear, which is inspired by the experiences of John Davidson, won two BAFTA awards, with the film winning Best Casting and Robert Aramayo picking up Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by multiple, involuntary, and repetitive muscle movements and sounds known as tics.