BBC and host apologize after racial slur shouted during BAFTA awards by guest with Tourette's

"Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations, including the uttering of inappropriate words. After the outburst, Cumming apologized to the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall 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.""

"The broadcaster apologized, 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. "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards," the BBC said in a statement. "This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional."

An audience member with Tourette syndrome shouted a racial slur during the British Academy Film Awards while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award. Host Alan Cumming had introduced John Davidson, a Scottish campaigner whose experience inspired the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear. Tourette syndrome is described as a neurological disorder with involuntary movements and vocalizations, including inappropriate words. Cumming apologized at London's Royal Festival Hall and explained the tics were involuntary and not intentional. The BBC apologized for failing to edit the slur from the broadcast, removed the program from iPlayer, and said the offensive word would be edited out.

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