How the Tourette’s Fallout Unfolded at the BAFTA Film Awards: From Pre-Show Warnings to a “Throw-Away Apology”

The broadcaster and the British Academy have so far not responded to repeated requests for comment from The Hollywood Reporter about the clumsily-handled incident. Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo present at the BAFTA Film Awards. Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for BAFTA Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment The BBC has apologized for “strong and offensive language” at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards after a racial slur was not cut from its final broadcast. A Tourette’s campaigner, John Davidson, was heard cursing throughout the show — including shouting the N-word as Sinners duo Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the best visual effects award to Avatar: Fire and Ash, which prompted gasps across the audience and made for a definitively uncomfortable atmosphere inside London’s Royal Festival Hall. Davidson is the inspiration behind Kirk Jones’ critically-acclaimed film I Swear, following a man’s struggle growing up with Tourette’s syndrome. The condition is characterized by sudden, involuntary, and repetitive movements or sounds. These are often referred to as “tics,” and can manifest as outbursts such as loud swearing. Related Stories TV BBC Greenlights Three New Dramas, Including Tudor-Set '1536,' 'Shy & Lola' With Hayley Squires, Bel Powley TV Banijay Content Chief, Development Talks State of Reality ("Still Absolutely King"), Sportainment, and Swinging Big to Find the Next Hit The incident has resulted in widespread debate among the film community and online, as questions are put to BAFTA and the BBC, who chose not to cut the swearing and racial slur, despite the show being aired on a two-hour delay. The broadcaster and the British Academy have so far not responded to repeated requests for comment from The Hollywood Reporter about this. A BBC spokesperson told ITV News on Monday morning: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards 2026. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette’s Syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard.” Host Alan Cumming interrupted his monologues several times across the show to remind viewers: “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.” Davidson was warmly welcomed by a floor manager before the awards show began, and attendees were informed that “John has Tourette’s Syndrome, so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony,” as the housekeeping rules were laid out. A source informed THR that this was the moment presenters were warned about Davidson’s tics, minutes prior to the ceremony kicking off. He left the room around 25 minutes into the show (of his own accord, THR understands), shortly after his outburst during Jordan and Lindo’s presentation. The consensus on the night differed according to who you were talking to, but almost everyone agreed that both the Black attendees at the BAFTA Film Awards and the Tourette’s community have been failed by the handling of this situation. While many of the Brits maintained that Tourette’s is a serious, misunderstood condition, those from across the pond were seemingly less tolerant of the outbursts. What it has underlined is necessary questions about industry ableism, and the duty of care toward award show guests and audiences watching at home. Sinners’ production designer Hannah Beachler said “the situation is almost impossible” in a post on social media after the show. “I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can’t find the words,” she wrote on X. “The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show,” she said about Davidson’s tics. “I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw-away apology of ‘if you were offended.’” Aramayo’s shock win for his performance in I Swear — over Timothee Chalamet for Marty Supreme — gave the actor an opportunity to bring further awareness to the condition. While picking up an earlier prize, the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award, Aramayo told the crowd: “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… For people living with Tourette’s, it’s us around them who help them define