BBC orders fast track probe into ‘serious mistake’ over racial slur at BAFTAs

The head of the BBC has ordered a “fast-tracked” internal investigation into the “serious mistake” that saw a racist slur aired during the BAFTA awards.
Tourette’s sufferer John Davidson, who inspired one of the winning films, has said he is “deeply mortified” after shouting the N-word at the London film and television awards ceremony, which he said was caused by an “involuntary tic”.
He was heard shouting as Sinners actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan, who are both black, presented an award for special visual effects in the movies at the ceremony.
The investigation will probe why the slur was aired despite there being a two-hour delay between filming and the broadcast, and why it remained on the BBC’s streaming service iPlayer until the following morning.
“The BBC has been reviewing what happened at BAFTA on Sunday evening,” the broadcaster said in a statement.
“This was a serious mistake, and the Director-General (Tim Davie) has instructed the Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) to complete a fast-tracked investigation and provide a full response to complainants,” it added.
The probe was welcomed by Culture Minister Lisa Nandy, who described the broadcasting of a racial slur as “completely unacceptable and harmful”.
“The BBC must ensure that this never happens again,” she said. The controversy comes after another damaging episode during the BBC’s Glastonbury festival coverage in June 2025.