Actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award onstage at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards when Tourette’s activist John Davidson shouted several expletives, including the n-word, during the live ceremony in London on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Davidson, 54, attended the event to represent the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, which is based on his life and experiences living with Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition that can cause involuntary verbal and physical tics. Ahead of the ceremony, the stage manager informed the audience that Davidson might make “involuntary noises or movements” during the event.
During the broadcast, Davidson was heard yelling “Shut the f— up” while BAFTA chair Sara Putt was speaking, and “f— you” during the acceptance speech for Best Children’s and Family Film. The most jarring moment came while Jordan and Lindo were onstage presenting the Special Visual Effects Award, when Davidson shouted the racial slur.
BAFTA host Alan Cumming addressed the outbursts from the stage shortly after the incident.
“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. “Thanks for your understanding and for helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
According to reports, Davidson later left the main theater and watched the remainder of the ceremony from another room following the incident.
In a statement shared afterward, the BBC apologized for the offensive language being heard during the live broadcast.
“Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologize that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer,” a BBC spokesperson said.
Cumming also returned to the topic later in the evening, issuing another apology to viewers who may have been offended.
“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,” he said.
Actor Robert Aramayo, who portrays a younger version of Davidson in I Swear, won the BAFTA for Best Actor as well as the EE Rising Star Award during the ceremony. In his acceptance speech, Aramayo praised Davidson and called for greater public understanding of Tourette syndrome.
“John Davidson is the most remarkable man I ever met,” Aramayo said. “He’s so forthcoming with education and he believes there should still be so much more we need to learn about Tourette’s.”
“I just want to say for people who are living with Tourette’s, it’s the buzz around them that helped define what their experience is, so to quote the film, ‘They need support and understanding,’” he added.
Tourette’s Action, a U.K.-based advocacy organization, also issued a statement urging compassion in the wake of the backlash.
The group addressed “the negative comments that have surfaced following John’s involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony,” adding, “We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions, or character.”
Source: People