John Davidson’s outbursts at BAFTAs draw host apology and BBC statement

john davidson, the Tourette’s syndrome campaigner who inspired the film I Swear, had several involuntary outbursts during the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday, prompting onstage remarks from host Alan Cumming and an apology from the that said the language arose from Tourette-related tics.

John Davidson’s outbursts during the ceremony

At the 79th annual awards ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, audience members heard multiple exclamations that interrupted presenters and speeches, including an instance in which the n-word was shouted as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for best visual effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash.

The event also featured a shouted “shut the fuck up” during an introductory speech by BAFTA chair Sara Putt and a “fuck you” as the directors of Boong accepted the BAFTA for best children’s and family film.

apology and host remarks

The apologized for the “strong and offensive language” heard during the taping and said, “This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused. ” The ’s statement referenced the BAFTA Film Awards 2026 broadcast.

Host Alan Cumming told the audience, which included the Prince and Princess of Wales, that viewers “may have noticed some strong language, ” and added later: “Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight. ”

Who is john davidson and how the ceremony prepared viewers

John Davidson was introduced before the ceremony with a floor-manager announcement that said: “I’d like to welcome John Davidson MBE from one of our nominated films ‘I Swear’. John has Tourette’s Syndrome so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony. ” The film I Swear follows Davidson at age 25 after his appearance in the documentary John’s Not Mad.

Davidson was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at the age of 25, the context says, and his symptoms first began when he was 12; those symptoms include tics and uncontrollable outbursts, often involving cursing.

Film context, awards and broadcast details

I Swear, directed, written and produced by Kirk Jones, features Robert Aramayo playing Davidson at age 25 and was nominated in five BAFTA categories including best leading actor for Aramayo, best supporting actor for Peter Mullan, best original screenplay and casting — casting which the film won — and was also competing for outstanding British film.

Aramayo won BAFTA’s EE Rising Star award on Sunday and, collecting the prize, described John Davidson as “the most remarkable man I ever met, ” praising his educational work. The ceremony was recorded for broadcast on One in the U. K. with a two-hour delay and is shown in other territories on BritBox International; a U. S. telecast on E! did not appear to bleep the slur.

Conflicting confirmations and next steps

One account in the room at the Royal Festival Hall identified the person who yelled the N-word as John Davidson and said he was an invited guest linked to the nominated film, and that he left the room of his own accord and was not asked to leave. Another account said it was unable to confirm whether that individual was Davidson, and the did not provide a follow-up on the identity of the person who shouted the slur.

Representatives for the BAFTAs, Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, the film’s director Kirk Jones and other distributors did not immediately provide comment in the context provided. Sony Pictures Classics, which picked up U. S. distribution rights for I Swear, says the movie will roll out on April 24 in the U. S.; the film is not scheduled for U. S. theaters until spring, per that distribution statement.

Broadcasters and organizers will oversee editing for the televised broadcast and any further statements; the next confirmed public milestone for the film is its U. S. roll-out on April 24 as noted by the distributor referenced in the provided context.