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Delroy Lindo breaks silence after Tourette's syndrome activist shouted racial slur at him and Michael B. Jordan
Delroy Lindo has spoken out after a Tourette's syndrome activist shouted a racial slur at him and Michael B. Jordan during the BAFTAs.
As previously reported, the Sinners co-stars were presenting the award for best visual effects at the 79th annual British Academy Film Awards on Sunday (February 22) when Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson - whose severe vocal tics are linked to his condition - yelled the n-word from the audience.
The moment was broadcast to viewers at home, prompting immediate backlash, particularly as the ceremony was shown on a two-hour delay.
The BBC issued a statement after the broadcast, which read: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards 2026."
“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard," they added.
The BBC later edited the version uploaded to BBC iPlayer.
Delroy Lindo: "We Did What We Had To Do"
Speaking to Vanity Fair at the Warner Bros. after-party, Lindo reflected on the uncomfortable moment.
He said he and Jordan “did what we had to do” while presenting the award - but admitted he wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterward.”
Despite the incident, the 73-year-old was reported to be in good spirits at the afterparty, while Jordan later attended a separate event hosted by British GQ and Vogue.
BBC Removed "Free Palestine" From Davies Jr's Speech
BBC's decision to air the slur, while cutting other parts of the show, quickly became a lightning rod for criticism.
Earlier in the ceremony, My Father’s Shadow filmmakers Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jr. won the BAFTA for outstanding British debut. But viewers watching at home did not see the full version of Davies Jr.’s acceptance speech.
He dedicated the award to “all those whose parents migrated to obtain a better life for their children," adding: “To the economic migrant. The conflict migrant. Those under occupation, dictatorship, persecution, and those experiencing genocide."
"You matter. Your stories matter more than ever. Your dreams are an act of resistance to those watching at home," he continued. “Archive your loved ones. Archive your stories yesterday, today, and forever. For Nigeria, for London, the Congo, Sudan, free Palestine."
The words “free Palestine” were removed from the BBC broadcast. According to Deadline, a spokesperson said: ”The live event is three hours, and it has to be reduced to two hours for its on-air slot."
"The same happened to other speeches made during the night, and all edits were made to ensure the programme was delivered to time. All winners’ speeches will be available to watch via Bafta’s YouTube channel," they added.
The outlet reported that the BBC had prepared for politically-charged speeches after last year’s controversy involving Bob Vylan chanting “death to the IDF” at Glastonbury.
The contrast between the edited political statement and the uncensored racial slur left many outraged.
One user wrote: "The BBC omitted 'free Palestine' from their broadcast of the BAFTAs, which is on a 2 hour delay, but not the part where two Black men were called a racial slur while on stage."
Another chimed in: "The clip from the Baftas tonight not being cut says a lot. It was not live. It could be cut (like how Akinola’s acceptance speech referencing Palestine was). But they didn’t, as if, seeing black men being humiliated on stage like that for a national audience is tolerable to them."
Amid the backlash, Robert Aramayo, who portrayed Davidson in I Swear and won best actor and the rising star award, called it a “joint responsibility".
“First of all, there are tics. He is ticking. We have to understand. The way we perceive Tourette's is a joint responsibility," he explained. “It's not shouting obscenities. It's not being abusive. It's Tourettes. They are tics."
"If it can lead to a deeper understanding of Tourettes, and movies are part of that conversation, then it's an incredible thing," he added.
But not everyone accepted that framing as actor Jamie Foxx commented under an Instagram clip of the moment, writing that Davidson “meant that s***.”
Actor Wendell Pierce also shared his thoughts: “It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full throatted [sic] apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan. The insult to them takes priority. It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur," per The Guardian.