Host Alan Cumming Apologizes for ‘Trauma Triggering Shitshow’ at BAFTA Awards

"We all felt let down by decisions made to both broadcast slurs and censor free speech," he wrote on Instagram All Apologies Host Alan Cumming Apologizes for ‘Trauma Triggering Shitshow’ at BAFTA Awards "We all felt let down by decisions made to both broadcast slurs and censor free speech," he wrote on Instagram By Emily Zemler Emily Zemler Watch Michael B. Jordan’s Surprise Actor Award Win: ‘Thank You for Making Me Feel Seen’ Kelly Osbourne Hits Back at ‘Cruelty’ Over Her Appearance at the BRIT Awards Benny Blanco Says Selena Gomez Lost Her Vows Five Days Before Their Wedding View all posts by Emily Zemler March 3, 2026 Alan Cumming hosts the BAFTA Awards in London on Feb. 22 Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA Alan Cumming took to Instagram to reflect on the BAFTA Awards and to apologize for how John Davidson’s Tourette’s outburst was handled. “What should’ve been an evening celebrating creativity as well as diversity and inclusion turned into a trauma triggering shitshow,” Cumming wrote. “I’m so sorry for all the pain Black people have felt at hearing that word echoed around the world. I’m so sorry the Toruettes community has been reminded of the lack of understanding and tolerance that abounds regarding their condition.” Davidson is an activist and longtime educator on Tourette’s syndrome, whose life story was turned into the BAFTA-nominated biopic I Swear. During the ceremony, Davidson shouted the N-word at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo while they were on stage presenting the award for Best Special Visual Effects. Davidson’s Tourette’s causes involuntary tics, and he was heard cursing throughout the show, however the BBC failed to censor the N-word during its broadcast, causing further harm. Cumming continued, “The only possible good that could come of this is a reminder that words matter, that rushing to judgement about things of which we are not fully cognisant is folly, that all trauma must be recognised and honoured.” The host added that “we all felt let down by decisions made to both broadcast slurs and censor free speech.” Notably, the BBC edited out Akinola Davies Jr. concluding his acceptance speech for Outstanding British Debut for My Father’s Shadow by calling to “free Palestine.” Cumming concluded his post by congratulating “all the artists whose work was overshadowed by the night’s events.” View this post on Instagram Davidson has since addressed the incident and said he privately apologizes to Jordan and Lindo. On Saturday, Lindo responded to the situation for the first time publicly at the NAACP Image Awards. “We appreciate all the support and the love that we have been shown in the aftermath of what happened last weekend,” Lindo said. “It means a lot to us.” In a statement following the awards, a BBC spokesperson said, “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.” Trending Stories Trump’s Iran War Is Built on Lies and Fantasies