LONDON (AP) — The British Broadcasting Corporation and Britain’s film academy issued formal apologies to television viewers following an incident where a guest diagnosed with Tourette syndrome involuntarily yelled a racial epithet during the British Academy Film Awards ceremony.
The deeply offensive language was audible as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo from “Sinners” were announcing the winner for outstanding visual effects during Sunday evening’s awards show.
Earlier in the program, ceremony host Alan Cumming had introduced audience member John Davidson to viewers, identifying him as a Scottish advocate for individuals living with Tourette’s whose life story served as inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated movie “I Swear.”
The neurological condition known as Tourette syndrome causes individuals to experience uncontrollable, recurring physical movements and vocal outbursts, which can include speaking inappropriate or offensive words.
Following the verbal outburst, Cumming addressed attendees at London’s Royal Festival Hall with an apology for the “strong and offensive language.”
“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,” Cumming said. “We apologize if you were offended.”
When contacted for additional comment on Monday, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts pointed to Cumming’s remarks from the ceremony.
Television audiences heard the slur when the BBC aired the delayed broadcast approximately two hours following the live ceremony. The network issued its own apology on Monday, despite the offensive language remaining audible on the broadcaster’s online streaming platform.
“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional,” it said in a statement. “We apologize for any offense caused by the language heard.”
The film “I Swear” received two BAFTA honors, with Robert Aramayo taking home the best actor award for his portrayal of Davidson.
Ed Palmer, who serves as vice chairman for the charitable organization Tourettes Action, suggested the BBC should have edited out the offensive word.
“This is really one of the most acute examples of where something that is a disability can cause quite understandably huge amounts of offense to someone,” he told Times Radio. “So, if it’s being prerecorded now, then bleeping it out, for example, might be a reasonable compromise.”
