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BBC Apologizes to Staff as BAFTA Fallout Deepens Over Aired Racial Slur

Calls for clearer production safeguards follow a slur that aired despite a two-hour delay.

Overview

  • BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips told staff the slur was aired in error, said another instance was removed in editing, and ordered the ceremony taken off iPlayer.
  • Warner Bros reportedly asked during the event for the moment to be cut from the delayed broadcast, yet the language still appeared on air before later removal online.
  • BAFTA issued an apology taking full responsibility, thanked Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo for their professionalism, and said guests were warned about possible involuntary tics.
  • Filmmaker Jonte Richardson resigned from a BAFTA jury panel, calling the handling of the incident unforgivable and citing failures to safeguard Black guests.
  • Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson said his outbursts were involuntary, left the auditorium due to distress caused, and questioned being seated near a microphone and the BBC’s editorial controls.