General · 23 February 2026
BBC apologises for airing racial slur at film awards
The corporation expressed regret for broadcasting offensive language shouted by John Davidson, a guest with Tourette’s syndrome. Viewers heard the N-word during the delayed transmission while two actors presented the ceremony's first prize. Officials confirmed the unedited footage appeared on iPlayer Monday morning but has since been taken down. Host Alan Cumming explained to the audience that the outbursts were involuntary tics.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs