Delroy Lindo makes first public comments following racial slur incident at BAFTAs

Actor Delroy Lindo made his first public comments on the racial slurs hurled at him and “Sinners” co-star Michael B. Jordan during the BAFTA Awards last week.

Appearing at the NAACP Impact Awards on Saturday night, Lindo began by thanking those who showed support to him and Jordan following the controversy.

“Before we start, I’d just like to officially say, we appreciate — I appreciate — we appreciate all the support and the love that we have been shown in the aftermath of what happened last weekend,” Lindo said during Saturday’s ceremony.

Lindo received a standing ovation, during which Jordan could be seen smiling at his co-star from the audience and clapping.

Lindo also acknowledged the sense of community at the NAACP Image Awards. “It means a lot to us. It is an honor to be here amongst our people this evening,” Lindo said. “Among so many people who have shown us such incredible support. And it’s a classic case of something that could be very negative becoming very positive.”

The British Academy Film Awards kicked off with controversy last weekend as Jordan and Lindo presented the first award of the evening. Jordan and Lindo, who star in “Sinners” together, were presenting the BAFTA for best visual effects when John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome activist, began shouting. The pair paused on stage after a racial slur was yelled, before continuing with their presentation.

Davidson was attending the ceremony as the executive producer of the film “I Swear,” which follows his Tourette syndrome diagnosis at the age of 25 and the challenges he has faced. Since the incident, Davidson spoke with Variety, saying that he felt shame and embarrassment consume him as his tics began during the ceremony.

The BBC, which broadcasts the ceremony, and BAFTA have come under scrutiny for not cutting the racial slur from the initial broadcast. The show aired with a two-hour delay.

The decision sparked outrage from the film community, with actor Jamie Foxx calling the incident “unacceptable” and BAFTA jury member Jonte Richardson resigning from the organization on Monday.