BBC removes N-word Tourette’s outburst from BAFTA broadcast and apologises
"We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast," the corporation said
By Nick Reilly
The BBC has apologised for failing for edit out a racial slur from the BAFTA broadcast last night, confirming it will now remove it from the version of the ceremony available on iPlayer.
The outburst came courtesy of John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner who is the subject of the biopic I Swear.
Davidson’s condition causes him to produce involuntary vocal tics and he was heard to shout the N word as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo took the stage to hand out the prize for best visual effects, which was won by Avatar: Fire and Ash.
After removing the BAFTA Film Awards from iPlayer on Monday, a BBC spokesperson said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”
The remark could be faintly heard in the BBC’s coverage, with many criticising the fact that the two hour delay between the show happening and its eventual broadcast could have allowed for its removal.
British newcomer Robert Aramayo won Best Actor at last night’s ceremony for his portrayal of Davidson, as well as scooping the Rising Star prize.
Discussing the film and Tourette’s, Aramayo previously told Rolling Stone UK: “There’s a huge spectrum [of Tourette’s]. There’s ticks you cannot see and as we say in the film, only 10 percent of people with Tourette’s swear. There’s many others that happen and hopefully people will now talk about Tourette’s in a more 360 degree view, and say that the film was a big eye opening moment for me.”