The Director-General of the BBC has ordered a fast-tracked internal investigation after a racial slur was broadcast during the BAFTA ceremony earlier this week. The broadcaster called the incident a “serious mistake” and confirmed that its Executive Complaints Unit will review how the remark was aired despite a two-hour delay between filming and transmission.

BBC orders probe into BAFT broadcast blunder

Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson, who inspired one of the winning films, said he was “deeply mortified” after shouting the N-word during the ceremony, attributing it to an involuntary tic. The slur was heard while actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were presenting an award. The remark also remained available on the BBC’s streaming platform iPlayer until the following morning.