The BBC says it is carrying out a “fast-tracked” investigation after failing to edit out a racial slur shouted by a Tourette’s campaigner from its BAFTAs broadcast.
The slur, made by John Davidson, who suffers from the neurological condition Tourette syndrome, came as the first award of the night was presented by black actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
The two-hour BAFTAs programme was edited down from the three-hour live show filmed two hours earlier that evening at London’s Royal Festival Hall, and went out on BBC1 at 7pm. The slur could be watched on BBC iPlayer for more than 12 hours before the programme was removed to be edited:
Viewers then saw the message: “This episode will be available soon.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC has been reviewing what happened at BAFTA on Sunday evening.
“This was a serious mistake and the director general has instructed the Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) to complete a fast-tracked investigation and provide a full response to complainants.”
Davidson could be heard shouting the offensive word as Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, stars of vampire horror Sinners, presented the first award of the evening on Sunday night.
Both men appeared to pause after the insult was heard, then continued their presentation.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
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