John Davidson’s Outburst at BAFTAs Sparks Debate Over Tourette’s and Broadcast Edits
john davidson, the real-life campaigner who inspired the film I Swear, shouted a racial slur at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during the BAFTA Film Awards, touching off an onstage explanation from host Alan Cumming and widespread discussion among guests and viewers.
John Davidson’s outbursts during the BAFTAs
Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, was heard cursing repeatedly during the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Over the first 20 minutes of the show he shouted remarks that included "Boring!" during housekeeping announcements and "Bullshit!" when attendees were asked not to curse. He also exclaimed "Shut the fuck up" while BAFTA chair Sara Putt spoke, and later directed the N-word at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo as they presented the award for best visual effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Alan Cumming addressed tics onstage
Host Alan Cumming interrupted his monologue to explain the situation more than once. "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, " Cumming said from the stage. He added, "Thanks for your understanding and for helping create a respectful space for everyone, " and later reiterated: "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. "
What presenters and guests experienced
Audience members gasped when Davidson yelled from the auditorium and Michael B. Jordan appeared visibly startled. After the incident Davidson left the ceremony; one account says he appeared to remove himself from the theater, and another notes he left around 25 minutes into the proceedings of his own accord and was not asked to by BAFTA. A floor manager had welcomed him before the show, saying: "John has Tourette’s syndrome, so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony. "
Reactions at after-parties and the nominees' dinner
At a Warner Bros. after‑party, Delroy Lindo said he and Michael B. Jordan "did what we had to do" while presenting, and that he wished "someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterward. " Lindo was later spotted chatting with co-star Wunmi Mosaku, who won the BAFTA for best supporting actress. Jordan briefly attended an after-party hosted by British GQ and Vogue, where he was listed as one of the event’s hosts. Following the ceremony, BAFTA hosted a dinner for nominees and guests where the incident was a major topic of conversation.
Broadcast edits, official statements and online debate
The broadcast included Davidson’s outbursts even though the program aired on a tape delay. A broadcaster said some viewers may have heard "strong and offensive language" that "arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, " apologized that it was not edited out prior to broadcast and said it would now be removed. Questions were raised about the decision not to edit out Davidson’s cursing. Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler wrote on X that the situation "is almost impossible... it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show. " The incident prompted debate among attendees and online, with many stressing that Tourette’s is deeply misunderstood and others saying the language could have been emotionally triggering for presenters.
john davidson is the inspiration behind Robert Aramayo’s performance in I Swear, a film that follows a man’s struggle growing up with Tourette’s syndrome. Aramayo won a BAFTA on Sunday night: one account notes he took the rising‑star award and the lead‑actor prize, described as a win over Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio, while another account lists his best‑actor victory over Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Ethan Hawke and Michael B. Jordan.
Ryan Coogler won best original screenplay and used his speech to praise his community: "I come from a community that loves me and spoke a lot of power into me. They made me believe that I could do this. That I could be a writer. "
Officials have said the broadcaster will remove the offensive language from the recorded show; the next confirmed event on the awards calendar is unclear in the provided context.
