Michael B. Jordan was reportedly left “disgusted” after a racial slur was shouted from the audience while he was on stage presenting at the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday night.
The actor had taken to the stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall alongside his Sinners co-star Delroy Lindo to present the award for Best Visual Effects when Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson was heard shouting the N-word. The outburst prompted audible gasps from the audience.
In the aftermath, the BBC removed the full ceremony from iPlayer following backlash for not editing out the moment before broadcast. The incident drew further criticism as other politically sensitive remarks had reportedly been cut from the telecast.
Lindo later told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan “did what we had to do” while presenting, but added he wished “someone from Bafta spoke to us afterward.”
A source told Metro that Jordan, 39, was “repulsed by the outburst,” saying the actor had immersed himself in research on the psychological impact of racism to prepare for his role in Sinners, a horror film set in 1932 Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. The source claimed the moment was particularly upsetting given the film’s themes and Jordan’s personal ties to communities historically affected by racial terror.
Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome and whose symptoms include involuntary verbal tics, later issued an apology stating he was “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.”
BAFTA host Alan Cumming addressed the situation during the ceremony, explaining that Tourette syndrome involves involuntary language outbursts and thanking attendees for their understanding. However, criticism continued online, with some questioning the handling of the incident and the broadcast decision.
In a subsequent statement, the BBC apologised for the “strong and offensive language,” acknowledging that it had not been edited out prior to transmission and confirming it would be removed from the on-demand version.
BAFTA also issued a direct apology to Jordan and Lindo, stating: “Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”
Despite the controversy, Sinners, written and directed by Ryan Coogler, emerged as one of the night’s biggest winners. The film won Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, Best Original Score for Ludwig Göransson, and Best Original Screenplay for Coogler — marking the first time a Black filmmaker has won in that category. The film also received 13 BAFTA nominations and 16 Oscar nominations earlier this awards season.
