Baftas apologise after guest with Tourette Syndrome uses racial slur; fallout over tourette syndrome activist’s outbursts

John Davidson, a campaigner for tourette syndrome whose life inspired the film I Swear, was heard shouting several times during the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony, including a racial slur, prompting on-stage announcements and a formal apology that has since generated widespread reaction.

What happened on stage: multiple outbursts and the N-word

Davidson was heard shouting repeatedly during the ceremony, and at one point used the N-word while Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were on stage presenting the evening’s first prize. Other audible outbursts included “shut the fuck up” during an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt and “fuck you” as the directors of Boong accepted the BAFTA for best children’s and family film. Organisers later said the outbursts were involuntary tics associated with Davidson’s condition.

Alan Cumming on Tourette Syndrome and involuntary tics

Host Alan Cumming addressed the auditorium twice. Early on he told the audience: “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, ” and he thanked attendees for their understanding. Later he said: “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. ” The audience included the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Public reactions: Jamie Foxx, Jemele Hill, Wendell Pierce and Hannah Beachler

Actor Jamie Foxx commented beneath a social-media post about the incident, writing “Unacceptable” and “Nah he meant that shit. ” Journalist Jemele Hill wrote on social media: “Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanised so that other people don’t feel bad. ” Actor Wendell Pierce said: “It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full throatted [sic] apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan. The insult to them takes priority. It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur. ”

Sinners’ production designer Hannah Beachler said she had a racial slur directed at her during the ceremony and criticised what she called a “throwaway” apology, adding: “I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throwaway apology of ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show. ”

Organisers, broadcasters and guest handling: apologies, statements and an exit

A spokesperson apologised for Davidson’s shouts, saying: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta film awards 2026. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard. ” Separately, producers said they “didn’t hear” the N-word slur while “working in a truck. ”

The outbursts were not cut from the broadcast, which went out with a two-hour delay on One in the U. K. and on E! in the U. S. The outbursts could not be heard in the second half of the ceremony after Davidson appeared to have left the room; he left of his own accord and was not asked to leave by BAFTA. An earlier statement said Davidson was an “invited guest” and that under no circumstances would he be asked to leave the ceremony.

I Swear, Robert Aramayo and the film’s BAFTA campaign

Before the ceremony, the floor manager introduced Davidson to the audience: “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, directed, written and produced by Kirk Jones, is up for five BAFTAs, including best leading actor for Robert Aramayo, best supporting actor for Peter Mullan, best original screenplay and casting, the latter of which it won, and it is also competing for outstanding British film.

Robert Aramayo portrays Davidson at age 25, following Davidson’s appearance in the seminal documentary John’s Not Mad that first introduced Tourette’s to a wider audience. Aramayo was awarded BAFTA’s EE Rising Star prize on the night; 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. Especially, I just want to say for people who are living with Tourette’s it’s the b” — the remainder of the recorded remark is unclear in the provided context.

Davidson’s response and condition explained

Davidson said he was “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning” and added that he has “spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so. ” He said he “chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing. ”

The reporting included a medical note that TS is a motor control disorder characterised by muscular and vocal tics, and that some 10–20% of people with the condition are affected by loud, involuntary swearing known as coprolalia.