Celebrity4 min(s) read
Jamie Foxx responds to moment Tourette’s campaigner shouts racial slur while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage
The 79th annual British Academy Film Awards were meant to be a celebration of cinematic excellence. Instead, the night has been overshadowed by a deeply controversial moment — and now Jamie Foxx is leading the backlash.
While actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting the award for Best Visual Effects, Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson shouted a racial slur from the audience.
The moment, which aired despite the ceremony being broadcast on a two-hour delay, immediately sparked outrage — and it didn’t take long for Hollywood to respond.
But it’s Foxx’s reaction that has ignited the fiercest debate.
Jamie Foxx Says ‘He Meant That S***’
The Django Unchained star did not hold back after a clip of the moment at London’s Royal Festival Hall surfaced online.
Commenting under an Instagram post featuring footage of the incident, Foxx wrote: “he meant that s***”.
In a second comment, he added: “Out of all the words, you could've said Tourette's makes you say that… unacceptable.”
What Happened At The BAFTAs?
Davidson — a Tourette’s syndrome activist — was heard yelling multiple times during the ceremony. In addition to the racial slur, he could also be heard shouting “shut the f*** up” and “f*** you”.
According to Variety, Davidson left the room of his own accord during the second half of the ceremony.
The BBC later issued a statement acknowledging the broadcast of the language despite the time delay. It 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 version later uploaded to BBC iPlayer was edited.
Host Alan Cumming also addressed the situation live during the ceremony, telling attendees: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience.”
“Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
In a later statement, Cumming added: “Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you are offended tonight.”
Delroy Lindo Speaks Out: “We Did What We Had To Do”
While the immediate reaction focused on the broadcast itself, Delroy Lindo has now shared how he felt in the moment.
Speaking to Vanity Fair at the Warner Bros. after-party, the 73-year-old reflected on the uncomfortable exchange, saying he and Jordan “did what we had to do” while presenting the award.
However, he admitted he wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterward.”
Despite the incident, Lindo was reported to be in good spirits at the afterparty. Jordan later attended a separate event hosted by British GQ and Vogue.
Understanding Coprolalia And Tourette’s Syndrome
Davidson, 54, was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome after developing tics and uncontrollable vocalisations as a teenager.
One symptom that can affect people with Tourette’s is coprolalia — the involuntary blurting out of obscene language — though it affects only around one in 10 individuals with the condition.
The Tourette Association of America explains: "Particularly embarrassing for some individuals with coprolalia are involuntary outbursts within social contexts, such as racial or ethnic slurs in the company of the very people who would be most offended by such remarks.
"A minority of people with coprolalia have this particular problem. It is crucial to understand that these words or complex phrases do not necessarily reflect the thoughts, beliefs or opinions of the person with coprolalia."
The CDC also notes that people with Tourette’s have no control over their tics, with many comparing the sensation to “having an itch or having to sneeze”. While someone may try to suppress it, “you will probably scratch or sneeze and you will feel a little better until the urge comes back”.