Alan Cumming Slams BBC Over Racial Slur at Baftas

0:00On March 3rd, actor Alan Cumming has slammed the BBC for failing to edit a racial slur out of the Baptist broadcast he hosted. The ceremony honored creativity and diversity, but the unedited moment overshadowed the night despite plenty of time for fixes in the delayed airing. Earlier in the evening, Cumming alerted the audience to expect outbursts from John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome activist whose life inspired the award-winning film I Swear. Davidson's involuntary tics include slurs and Cumming later apologized on stage for any upset. Many reacted with anger and pain, especially black viewers hearing the word broadcast worldwide and the Tourette's community facing renewed stigma. Davidson and his production team say the BBC promised to remove all swearing, while studios like Warner Bros. race concerns right away. The BBC cut other parts, such as a free Palestine shout at the end of one speech, but left the slur intact. Bafta apologized unreservally to those affected and announced the full review of the incident.

1:00Support has poured in, with figures like Lindo calling it a chance for positivity amid the backlash. As Bafta eyes its next host amid past hosting woes, the focus stays on better handling these live events.