Bafta judge resigns after guest shouts N-word
Credit: BBC/BAFTA
A Bafta judge has resigned after a guest shouted a racial slur during a BBC broadcast of the awards ceremony .
Film-maker Jonte Richardson is stepping down over the academy's "utterly unforgivable" handling of the incident on Sunday, accusing the organisation of "failing to safeguard the dignity of its black guests".
John Davidson, the Tourette syndrome campaigner , shouted the N-word as Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan presented an award at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Mr Davidson said he was "deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning".
Robert Aramayo and John Davidson backstage at the Baftas - Carlo Paloni/Bafta
The BBC apologised for broadcasting the slur despite a two-hour delay between recording and transmission. The original programme also remained on BBC iPlayer for several hours before it was taken down. Meanwhile, the broadcaster had chosen to cut a section of a separate speech which included the phrase "free Palestine".
On Tuesday, Mr Richardson said he felt "compelled to withdraw".
In a statement on LinkedIn, he wrote: "The organisation's handling of the unfortunate Tourette's N-Word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable. I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community."
He continued: "This is particularly unfortunate given that this year's cohort boasts some incredible Black talent, especially one of my favourite shows of 2025 'Just Act Normal'.
"However, when an organisation like Bafta, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour.
"I hope Bafta leadership comprehend the damage they and the BBC have caused and take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future."
Film-maker Jonte Richardson said Bafta has a 'long history of systemic racism'
Mr Davidson said he had voluntarily left the auditorium after becoming aware of the "distress" his tics were causing.
A BBC spokesman apologised to viewers for the "strong and offensive language" heard during the awards show, adding: "This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional."
The racial slur incident is the latest editing blunder by the BBC. The corporation came under fire last year over its broadcast of Bob Vylan's set at Glastonbury , during which one member of the rap duo chanted "death to the IDF".
Tim Davie, the former director-general, apologised after the broadcaster failed to cut the livestream of the set.
After the N-word was shouted at the Baftas, Alan Cumming, the ceremony's presenter, issued an apology.
He said: "You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film I Swear , you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome.
"Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended."
