BAFTAs 2026 N-Word Outbursts Explained: Alan Cumming Speaks Out After John Davidson Incident
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony on Sunday (February 22) faced some uncomfortable interruptions.
Host Alan Cumming addressed the crowd after several loud outbursts were overheard in the theater throughout the show, coming from John Davidson, a Tourette’s syndrome campaigner who inspired the BAFTA-winning movie, I Swear.
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Before the show began, a floor manager let the audience know that John has Tourette’s syndrome, Variety reports, telling the crowd: “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.”
Several outbursts could be heard throughout the BAFTA ceremony, including “shut the f–k up” during an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt, and “f–k you” during the Best Children’s and Family Film acceptance speech.
The audience also heard him shout the N-word when Michael B, Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for Best Visual Effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Following the incidents, Alan spoke to 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,” he said.
“Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
“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,” Alan added later in the night.
Variety reported that John “left of his own accord and was not asked to leave by BAFTA” during the second half of the ceremony. It’s unclear if the outbursts will be included in the stream set to air later in the evening.
“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 buzz around them that helped define what their experience is so, to quote the film, ‘They need support and understanding.,’” BAFTA’s EE Rising Star winner Robert Aramayo, who plays John in I Swear, said in his acceptance speech.
Here’s the movie synopsis: “Diagnosed with Tourette’s at age 15, John Davidson faced and overcame many hardships from adolescence and early adulthood as a result of what was a little known and entirely misunderstood condition in 1980’s Britain. I Swear is a funny, heartfelt and moving account of John’s experiences.”