John Davidson outbursts interrupt BAFTAs as host and organisers respond
The BAFTA Film Awards were disrupted by a series of audible outbursts when john davidson, a campaigner with Tourette syndrome, shouted strong and offensive language during the ceremony, prompting onstage pauses and a formal apology that the language was involuntary. The interruptions cut across presentations and acceptance speeches and were later addressed by the host and the broadcaster.
Shouts heard as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo appeared on stage
A clip emerged online showing an audience member shouting as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo appeared on stage; both men are stars of the vampire horror Sinners and were presenting the first award of the evening. Both presenters appeared to pause after the insult was heard, then continued their presentation. Separately, the same outburst was described during a presentation in which the pair presented the award for best visual effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash. The slur could still be heard on iPlayer.
Other audible incidents targeted Sara Putt and the Boong directors
Multiple audible outbursts were heard across the ceremony, including an attendee shouting “shut the f*** up” at BAFTA chair Sara Putt and someone saying “f*** you” as the directors of Boong accepted the award for best children’s and family film. Those interruptions occurred alongside the moment when the n-word was shouted during the presentation involving Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.
Broadcaster apology and Alan Cumming’s remarks in the auditorium
The broadcaster apologised for the language heard during the BAFTA Film Awards 2026, saying the words arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and were not intentional; the statement added: "We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard. " Host Alan Cumming addressed the audience, telling attendees: "You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. " He later added: "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. " Cumming thanked the audience for their understanding and asked for respectful space for everyone, noting the comment to an audience that included the Prince and Princess of Wales.
John Davidson’s background and the film I Swear
John Davidson, who is a Tourette syndrome campaigner and an MBE, is the inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear. He was diagnosed with the syndrome at the age of 25, though his symptoms first began when he was 12; those symptoms include tics and uncontrollable outbursts, often involving cursing. Before the ceremony began, the floor manager introduced him to the audience, saying: “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. ” I Swear follows Davidson at the age of 25 after his appearance in the seminal documentary John’s Not Mad, and Robert Aramayo portrays Davidson in the film.
Ceremony aftermath, awards results and medical context
The audible outbursts could not be heard in the second half of the ceremony when john davidson appeared to have left the room; he left of his own accord and was not asked to leave by BAFTA. The outbursts were not cut for the broadcast, which went out with a two-hour delay on One in the U. K. and on E! in the U. S. The film I Swear was up for five BAFTAs, including best leading actor for Robert Aramayo, best supporting actor for Peter Mullan, best original screenplay and casting (the ceremony awarded the film the casting prize), and it was also competing for outstanding British film. Robert Aramayo won best actor, beating Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio, and he was awarded BAFTA’s EE Rising Star; collecting that award he said: “John Davidson is the most remarkable man I ever met. He’s so forthcoming with education and he believes there should be still so much more we need to learn about Tourette’s. ”
Medical context cited at the ceremony and in follow-up statements noted that Tourette syndrome causes sudden, repetitive sounds or movements called tics; there is no cure but it can be managed through treatment, and tics can be triggered by stress, excitement or tiredness. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention adds that only around one in 10 people with the condition suffer from coprolalia, where a tic involves the excessive or uncontrollable use of inappropriate language.
