PASADENA, CA — Actor Delroy Lindo broke his silence Saturday night regarding the recent BAFTA Awards controversy, using his appearance at the 57th NAACP Image Awards to thank the public for their “incredible support” following a highly publicized racial slur incident. The veteran actor, 73, was joined onstage by Sinners director Ryan Coogler at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, where he received a standing ovation from the industry’s leading Black creators and performers.
A Turning Point: Lindo Reflects on the “Positive” Aftermath
The incident occurred during the EE BAFTA Film Awards in London on Feb. 22, when Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson, 54, involuntarily shouted a racial slur while Lindo and co-presenter Michael B. Jordan were onstage.
Reflecting on the week of intense media scrutiny and public discourse, Lindo took a moment during his presentation on Feb. 28 to address the room.
“I’d just like to officially say, I appreciate, we appreciate all the support and love we have been shown in the aftermath of what happened last weekend,” Lindo told the audience. “It is an honor to be here amongst our people this evening… It’s a classic case of something that could have been very negative becoming very positive.”
Industry Support for “Two Kings”
The sentiment was echoed later in the evening by actress Regina Hall, 55, who paused the ceremony to pay tribute to Lindo and Jordan. Hall praised the duo for their “class” in handling the situation, leading to a second standing ovation from the crowd.
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The Root of the Controversy: Tourette’s and Broadcast Failures
The incident has sparked a complex debate regarding disability advocacy and broadcast standards. Davidson, the subject of the BAFTA-nominated documentary I Swear, has lived with Tourette syndrome—a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics—since age 12.
While Tourette’s is often misunderstood, only about 10% to 15% of individuals with the condition experience coprolalia, the involuntary outburst of socially unacceptable or obscene words.
Why the Slur Aired
Despite the BAFTAs having a two-hour broadcast delay, the BBC failed to edit the slur out of the BBC One airing. Davidson expressed his own “distress” over the incident, pointing to logistical failures by the network:
- Microphone Placement: Davidson noted a microphone was placed directly in front of him despite his known tics.
- Editing Oversight: The BBC had previously worked with Davidson on four documentaries and was aware of his condition.
- Official Apologies: Both the BBC and BAFTA have since issued “unreserved” apologies to Lindo and Jordan, citing the failure to remove the audio during the delay.
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Accountability and Looking Forward
While the BBC has removed the offensive audio from its iPlayer streaming service, the conversation around the incident remains centered on the responsibility of major networks to protect both their presenters and their guests with disabilities.
Lindo previously noted to Vanity Fair that he wished BAFTA leadership had spoken to him and Jordan immediately following the ceremony. However, Davidson has reportedly reached out to the Sinners production team—including Lindo, Jordan, and production designer Hannah Beachler—to offer a direct apology.
As the 2026 awards season continues, the focus shifts to how live broadcast events will adapt their protocols to ensure inclusive environments that can navigate the realities of neurological conditions without compromising the dignity of those on stage.
