Jack Whitehall takes savage swipe at BAFTAs racial slur incident while hosting BRIT awards
Jack Whitehall made a pointed dig at the BAFTAs racial slur incident while hosting the BRIT awards.
Last night (28 February) saw Whitehall presenting the annual British music awards from Manchester, which saw Grammy-winning singer Olivia Dean taking home several trophies, with the comedian taking the opportunity to reference the controversy surrounding last week's BAFTA awards.
Addressing viewers at home, Whitehall said: "It's the BRITs, it may be a little raucous, there may be some swearing.But don’t worry, we’ve got the best in the business on the bleep button.
"It’s the guy who did the BAFTAs. Nothing gets past him."
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Watch the moment below:
For those who aren't already aware, the comment was in reference to the incident where Tourette's campaigner John Davidson said an involuntary racial slur during the ceremony.
Davidson, who was in attendance at the TV and film awards show for the film I Swear - which documents the hardships of a young man living with Tourette's - when he shouted out the N word while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage.
He has since issued a statement over the incident, explaining that the remark was not an intentional comment and instead 'an involuntary neurological misfire'.
"I want people to know and understand that my tics have absolutely nothing to do with what I think, feel or believe. It’s an involuntary neurological misfire. My tics are not an intention, not a choice and not a reflection of my values," Davidson said in a statement issued to Variety.
"Tourette’s can make my body or voice do things I don’t mean, and sometimes those tics land on the worst possible words. I want to be really clear that the intent behind them is zero. What you’re hearing is a symptom — not my character, not my thought, not my belief."
The BBC, which aired the ceremony, has since apologised for the incident, with a spokesperson issuing the following statement: "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.
"We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer."
A report from The Guardian added that BBC producers were editing the broadcast from a truck, and didn't hear the racial slur.
BAFTA has also released a statement apologising for Davidson's words, saying: "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 apologise to all."
The statement continued: "One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette Syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over.
"Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the BAFTA nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.
"We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.
"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 apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted.
"We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism."
Topics: Entertainment, TV, Brit Awards, BAFTAs
Brenna Cooper