A judge for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards has resigned after the way the organization handled Tourette’s activist John Davidson yelling a racial slur and other obscenities during the 2026 ceremony.
Jonte Richardson announced on Monday, February 23, that he was resigning after seeing how the situation was handled, writing via LinkedIn that he felt “compelled” to “withdraw from the BAFTA emerging talent judging panel” after some “considerable soul-searching.”
Richardson called the organization’s handling of the “unfortunate Tourette’s N-Word” incident “utterly unforgivable.”
“I cannot and will not contribute my time energy and expertise to an [organization] that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community,” he explained. “This is particularly unfortunate given that this year’s cohort boasts some incredible Black talent, especially one of my favorite shows of 2025 Just Act Normal.”
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Richardson continued: “However, when an [organization] like BAFTA, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its [behavior].”
In his statement, Richardson issued a message to BAFTA leadership.
“I hope [they] comprehend the damage they and the BBC have caused and take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future,” he concluded.
The BAFTAs made headlines on Sunday, February 22, due to Davidson’s multiple outbursts while winners and presenters were speaking on stage. He received backlash for using a racial slur when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the Best Visual Effects award to Avatar: Fire and Ash.
“I wanted to thank BAFTA and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast,” Davidson, 54, said in a statement to Variety on Monday. “I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs.”
Davidson was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at age 12. Tourette’s is referred to as “a neurological disorder that may cause sudden unwanted and uncontrolled rapid and repeated movements or vocal sounds called tics,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
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“I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning,” Davidson noted on Monday. “I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.”
BAFTA addressed the controversy as well following public backlash.
“At the BAFTA Film Awards last night our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and [apologize] to all,” they stated. “Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we [apologize] unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”
The statement concluded: “We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we [apologize] to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.”
