The BBC apologised for not editing a racial slur from its BAFTA broadcast, explaining it was an involuntary tic from a Tourette’s campaigner.

LONDON: The BBC has apologised for failing to edit a racial slur from its delayed broadcast of the BAFTA Film Awards, attributing the offensive language to an involuntary verbal tic from a person with Tourette’s syndrome.

The incident occurred as actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan, who are both black, presented the award for special visual effects.

The slur was shouted by Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson, whose real-life story inspired the winning film ‘I Swear’.

British actor Robert Aramayo won the best actor prize for his portrayal of a man with Tourette’s in that film, triumphing over established stars Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The BBC broadcast the ceremony on a two-hour delay on Sunday evening but did not remove the offensive language prior to transmission.

A spokesperson for the broadcaster stated that some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the awards.

The corporation explained that the language arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and was not intentional.

The BBC apologised that the incident was not edited out prior to broadcast and confirmed it would be removed from the version on its BBC iPlayer streaming service.

Ceremony host Alan Cumming also apologised during the broadcast for the language viewers may have heard.

Charity Tourettes Action said it deeply understood the offence and harm caused by racial slurs.

The charity emphasised it was vital the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome, stating that tics are involuntary and not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions, or character.

It added that people with Tourette’s can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse, and feel great distress about afterwards.

The charity also stated it was incredibly proud of Davidson and others involved in the film.

 The Sun Malaysia