Hollywood studio raised immediate concern to BBC after Bafta’s racial slur

EntertainmentPolitics
25 Feb 2026 • 12:13 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • A racial slur, involuntarily shouted by Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson, was broadcast during the Bafta Film Awards ceremony, sparking immediate concern from Warner Bros.
  • Warner Bros, whose stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting, reportedly requested the slur's removal from the BBC broadcast, which aired two hours later.
  • Labour MP Dawn Butler accused the BBC of 'an obvious bias' and 'failure of duty of care' for airing the offensive language, while filmmaker Jonte Richardson resigned from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel in protest.
  • Bafta has since apologised, taking 'full responsibility' for putting its guests in a 'difficult situation' and apologising 'unreservedly' to Jordan, Lindo, and all impacted.
  • The BBC also apologised for not editing the slur out, confirming it would be removed from BBC iPlayer, with John Davidson expressing he was 'deeply mortified' if his involuntary tics were considered intentional.

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