BAFTAs Face Backlash After Guest Shouts Racial Slur; Tourette Syndrome Cited in Apology
John Davidson, the Tourette’s campaigner central to the film I Swear, was heard making multiple involuntary shouts during the BAFTA Film Awards, including a racial slur that provoked an on-stage explanation and wider outrage. The incident matters because it triggered formal apologies from the ceremony’s host and the broadcaster, sharp criticism from prominent figures and renewed scrutiny of the ceremony’s delayed broadcast and guest handling.
Tourette Syndrome and John Davidson's diagnosis
Davidson, who was diagnosed at 25 and whose symptoms began when he was 12, has been open about tics and uncontrollable vocal outbursts that can include cursing. The ceremony’s floor manager introduced him beforehand, telling the audience: “John Davidson MBE... has Tourette’s Syndrome so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony. ” The condition is described in medical terms at the ceremony as a motor control disorder involving muscular and vocal tics, and the context notes that roughly 10–20% of people with the condition can be affected by loud, involuntary swearing known as coprolalia. Davidson is the inspiration for the film I Swear, which follows his life and is built around his public profile after his appearance in the documentary John’s Not Mad.
Alan Cumming's announcements to the audience
Host Alan Cumming addressed the auditorium twice during the show. Early on he thanked the audience for “understanding” as he explained that strong language can be part of how the condition shows up for some people. 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 remarks were delivered before an audience that included the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Outbursts during presentations for Avatar: Fire and Ash and Boong
Several specific incidents were audible inside the ceremony. During an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt, Davidson was heard shouting “shut the fuck up. ” When the directors of Boong accepted the award for best children’s and family film, an outburst of “fuck you” was audible. The most consequential incident came when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for best visual effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash and Davidson shouted the N-word while they were on stage. The outbursts were present in the first half of the event but could not be heard in the second half after Davidson left the auditorium; he later said he chose to leave early because he was aware of the distress his tics were causing. Organisers understood him to be an invited guest and he left of his own accord rather than being asked to go.
Responses from Jamie Foxx, Wendell Pierce and Hannah Beachler
The use of a racial slur prompted immediate public backlash. Actor Jamie Foxx described the incident as “Unacceptable” and added the comment “Nah he meant that shit” online. Journalist Jemele Hill said Black people are expected to accept disrespect so that others do not feel bad. Actor Wendell Pierce said it was “infuriating” that the initial reaction was not a full apology to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan, arguing the insult to them “takes priority. ” Production designer Hannah Beachler said she had a slur directed at her during the ceremony and criticised what she called the “throwaway” apology issued at the end of the show.
Broadcast, and BAFTA actions
The broadcaster issued an apology acknowledging that some viewers “may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta film awards 2026, ” explaining the language arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with tourette syndrome and apologising for any offence. producers later said they did not hear the N-word slur because they were working in a truck at the time, and organisers confirmed the outbursts were not excised from the delayed broadcast, which went out with a two-hour delay on One in the U. K. and on E! in the U. S. The incident has prompted calls for BAFTA to reconsider the two-hour delay and to consider broadcasting live; some commentators argued the ceremony had “shot themselves in the foot. ” BAFTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the handling of the guest, the broadcast and the aftermath.
What makes this notable is the collision of disability, live events and race: involuntary medical symptoms caused public harm that organisers tried to contextualise onstage, but the impact—measured in offence, formal apologies and high-profile criticism—was immediate and measurable. The film I Swear, directed, written and produced by Kirk Jones and starring Robert Aramayo as Davidson at 25, was up for five BAFTAs, including best leading actor for Aramayo, best supporting actor for Peter Mullan and best original screenplay; the film won the casting award and competed for outstanding British film. Aramayo also won the EE Rising Star award and paid public tribute to Davidson’s advocacy, saying Davidson remained forthcoming about education and the need to learn more about Tourette’s as part of that work.
