Celebrity6 min(s) read
Two words the BBC edited out of BAFTAs despite leaving in racial slurs
The BBC is facing backlash after it edited two words out of its BAFTAs live broadcast, but left in a racial slur that was shouted during the ceremony.
At the 79th annual British Academy Film Awards, My Father’s Shadow filmmakers Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jr. took home the BAFTA for outstanding British debut. However, audiences watching at home did not see the full version of Davies Jr.’s acceptance speech.
The British-Nigerian filmmaker dedicated his 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."
“Archive your loved ones. Archive your stories yesterday, today, and forever. For Nigeria, for London, the Congo, Sudan, free Palestine," he concluded.
BBC Removed "Free Palestine" From Davies Jr's Speech
A portion of the speech, including the words “free Palestine," was removed from the BBC broadcast.
Instead, the edit cut to Davies Jr. thanking his family and his brother, Wale, for “nurturing this spark".
According to Deadline, a BBC spokesperson explained: ”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 made preparations for politically-charged speeches at the award show, with the broadcaster keen to avoid a repeat of last year’s national controversy when it streamed Glastonbury Festival act Bob Vylan chanting “death to the IDF.”
Racial Slur Aired During Ceremony
At the same ceremony, the BBC issued an apology after a racial slur was yelled out while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting the first award of the night for best visual effects at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
Jordan and Lindo, who are Black, appeared to briefly pause after the “N-word” was yelled at them before continuing with their presentation.
In an email statement to NBC News, the BBC said: “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," BBC added. They later edited the version uploaded to BBC iPlayer.
The individual was identified as John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome campaigner and the inspiration behind the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, which follows the story of his diagnosis, his struggles, and his journey to raise public awareness.
Delroy Lindo: "We Did What We Had To Do"
The 73-year-old actor reflected on the uncomfortable moment at the Warner Bros. after-party, telling Vanity Fair that 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, Lindo was reported to be in good spirits at the afterparty, while Jordan later attended a separate event hosted by British GQ and Vogue.
Social Media Backlash Over Editing Decisions
The contrast between the edited political statement and the uncensored racial slur quickly fueled anger online.
Several critics questioned why the BBC, which aired the ceremony on a two-hour delay, did not censor the racial slur before transmission.
"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," one user wrote.
Another said: "I'm sorry, this is WILDLY unacceptable on so many levels - mostly so from @BAFTA We can all understand he has a condition, but this is subjecting Jordan and Lindo to racial trauma, which everyone needs to understand is UNACCEPTABLE on every level."
"The fact that they apologized to the BAFTA audience publicly, but not directly to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan continues the tradition of prioritizing white comfort over Black trauma," they added.
A third 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."
The racial slur directed at Jordan and Lindo was not the only outburst of the evening.
According to Variety, someone shouted “shut the f*** up” as BAFTA chair Sara Putt gave an introductory speech and “f*** you” when the award for best children’s and family film was being accepted, Variety reported.
Host Alan Cumming addressed the audience multiple times throughout the ceremony.
"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,” he said, referencing I Swear. “Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
After Davidson exited, Cumming again reminded attendees: “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 apologize if you are offended tonight.”