Filmmaker Jonte Richardson has quit as a Bafta judge over how it handled a racist word being shouted during the awards ceremony.
Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) activist John Davidson shouted a racial slur as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award – and which was heard by viewers when the show was broadcast hours later.
In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Richardson criticised Bafta’s response to the incident.
“The organisation’s handling of the unfortunate Tourette’s N-word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable”
He added:
“I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its black guests, members and the black creative community”
Jonte Richardson LinkedIn page. Credit: LinkedIn
Davidson was attending the ceremony with I Swear, a film inspired by his experience of living with Tourette’s Syndrome.
John Davidson attending the 79th British Academy Film Awards, February 22, 2026. Credit: PA Media
The film won three awards, including Robert Aramayo, who plays John, winning Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Robert Aramayo with the Leading Actor Award and the EE Rising Star Award, February 22, 2026. Credit: PA Media
The BBC’s chief content officer Kate Phillips has apologised to staff for failing to edit out the slur during the broadcast, which was shown to viewers on a two-hour delay – but revealed that other instances of controversial language were removed.
Following the ceremony, Davidson issued a statement expressing his apologies for the incident.
“I am deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.”
The Baftas were hosted by actor and director Alan Cumming, who apologised during the broadcast for any language the viewers may have heard, and for any offence this could have caused.
He explained that people living with Tourette’s Syndrome have no control over their language and verbal tics.
Alan Cumming attending the 79th British Academy Film Awards, February 21, 2026. Credit: PA Media
According to the NHS, Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes people to make sudden repetitive sounds or movements, which, in rare instances, can result in offensive language being used that can’t be controlled.
The charity Tourettes Action also released a statement supporting Davidson, saying:
People with Tourette’s can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse, and feel great distress about afterwards. These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John – like many others with Tourette’s – lives with every single day.
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HeadlineJudge quits over Bafta’s ‘unforgivable’ handling of racist word
Short HeadlineBafta judge quits over ceremony controversy
StandfirstThe BBC have revealed a second 'racial slur' was edited out of the broadcast on Sunday
Filmmaker Jonte Richardson has quit as a Bafta judge over how it handled a racist word being shouted during the awards ceremony.
Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) activist John Davidson shouted a racial slur as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award – and which was heard by viewers when the show was broadcast hours later.
In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Richardson criticised Bafta’s response to the incident.
“The organisation’s handling of the unfortunate Tourette’s N-word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable”
He added:
“I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its black guests, members and the black creative community”
Jonte Richardson LinkedIn page. Credit: LinkedIn
Davidson was attending the ceremony with I Swear, a film inspired by his experience of living with Tourette’s Syndrome.
John Davidson attending the 79th British Academy Film Awards, February 22, 2026. Credit: PA Media
The film won three awards, including Robert Aramayo, who plays John, winning Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Robert Aramayo with the Leading Actor Award and the EE Rising Star Award, February 22, 2026. Credit: PA Media
The BBC’s chief content officer Kate Phillips has apologised to staff for failing to edit out the slur during the broadcast, which was shown to viewers on a two-hour delay – but revealed that other instances of controversial language were removed.
Following the ceremony, Davidson issued a statement expressing his apologies for the incident.
“I am deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.”
The Baftas were hosted by actor and director Alan Cumming, who apologised during the broadcast for any language the viewers may have heard, and for any offence this could have caused.
He explained that people living with Tourette’s Syndrome have no control over their language and verbal tics.
Alan Cumming attending the 79th British Academy Film Awards, February 21, 2026. Credit: PA Media
According to the NHS, Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes people to make sudden repetitive sounds or movements, which, in rare instances, can result in offensive language being used that can’t be controlled.
The charity Tourettes Action also released a statement supporting Davidson, saying:
People with Tourette’s can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse, and feel great distress about afterwards. These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John – like many others with Tourette’s – lives with every single day.
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