Today in Focus Baftas racial slur row sparks BBC backlash – The Latest
Feb 25, 2026
Jason Okundaye, assistant opinion editor at The Guardian, discusses the BAFTA broadcast controversy and the shouted racial slur. He outlines how the slur reached air, failures in editing and delay systems, the impact on the actors, and how coprolalia in Tourette’s complicates public response. He warns against framing this as a simple racial vs disability conflict and probes institutional accountability.
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John Davidson's Appearance And The Onstage Incident
- John Davidson was introduced at the BAFTAs as having Tourette's and allowed into the audience after reassurance it was an inclusive space.
- Jason Okundaye describes the awkward moment when Davidson blurted a slur while Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were on stage and the emotional fallout for all involved.
Provide Immediate Aftercare To Affected Presenters
- Do provide immediate aftercare to people targeted by onstage incidents; Jason criticises BAFTA and BBC for not approaching Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo after the event.
- He highlights the basic duty of care missed despite many executives and staff being present.
Two Hour Delay Did Not Prevent The Slur Broadcast
- The BBC's two-hour delayed broadcast system failed to prevent offensive language reaching air because producers missed one of Davidson's blurts.
- Jason argues the delay mechanism proved not fit for purpose and that communication failures meant warnings to edit were not acted on.