John, who was heard shouting the n-word at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo at Sunday night’s BAFTAs, has now questioned why he was seated so close to a microphone.

I’ve been a pop culture journalist for over 10 years, which is both a terrifying and amazing concept — who would have thought that my love of celebrity gossip would literally pay my bills?

For what it’s worth, the BBC has apologized for not editing this moment out of the TV broadcast, with a spokesperson stating: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards 2026. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette Syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologize that this was not edited out prior to broadcast, and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”

And, after widespread backlash that the impact this moment would have had on Michael and Delroy had not been acknowledged, BAFTA issued a lengthy statement, part of which thanked the pair for their “dignity and professionalism."

“I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me,” he went on. “I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which, more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits, and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome. 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.”