LONDON (AP) 鈥� The and BBC apologized Monday for a racial slur that was broadcast during Sunday’s show while two stars of the film 鈥淪inners鈥� were onstage.
The Tourette syndrome campaigner who shouted the slur said he was “deeply mortified鈥� and what he said was 鈥渘ot a reflection of my personal beliefs.鈥�
The highly offensive word could be heard as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who are both Black, were presenting the award for best visual effects during Sunday鈥檚 ceremony. Host Alan Cumming had earlier told the audience that Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson was in attendance.
The incident prompted the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to apologize for 鈥渙ffensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many,鈥� adding 鈥淲e would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.鈥�
Davidson, a Scottish campaigner for people with Tourette syndrome, who inspired the said in a statement Monday that he was 鈥渄eeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.鈥�
Tourettes Action 鈥� a Tourette syndrome charity 鈥� called for understanding of the condition.
鈥淲e deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person鈥檚 beliefs, intentions, or character,鈥� said Emma McNally, CEO of Tourettes Action.
Tourette syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder, is characterized by sudden, involuntary movements or sounds called tics that tend to wax and wane but can worsen with excitement or anxiety, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. They may appear to be purposeful but are not, and the NIH鈥檚 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke鈥檚 Tourette information page says people trying to suppress them often report a buildup of tension before a tic erupts.
The Tourette Association of America says about 10-15% of people with the syndrome experience a kind of vocal tic called coprolalia 鈥� involuntary swearing, slurs or other socially unacceptable words or phrases.
Several shouts were audible during the first part of the ceremony, although what was said wasn’t intelligible to an Associated Press reporter in the press room.
After the slur was shouted during Jordan and Lindo鈥檚 presentation, Cumming apologized to the audience at London鈥檚 Royal Festival Hall for the 鈥渟trong and offensive language.鈥�
鈥淭ourette 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,鈥� Cumming said. 鈥淲e apologize if you were offended.鈥�
Davidson said in his statement that 鈥淚 chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.鈥�
The epithet could be heard when the BBC broadcast the ceremony about two hours after the live event. The broadcaster apologized for not editing it out before the broadcast, though the offensive word could still be heard on its iPlayer streaming service on Monday morning. The program was later removed, and the BBC said the slur would be edited out.
鈥淪ome viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards,鈥� the BBC said in a statement. 鈥淭his arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.
鈥淚 Swear鈥� including best actor for Robert Aramayo, who plays Davidson.
Representatives for the film and for Jordan and Lindo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard in Washington and National Writer Jocelyn Noveck in Paris contributed reporting.
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