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.
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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 British Academy referred The Hollywood Reporter to the BBC, who eventually provided a fuller statement around midday London time: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards,” said the BBC. “This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”
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. Other outbursts came before this, including “Bullshit!” when people were asked not to curse, and “Shut the fuck up,” when BAFTA chair Sara Putt made her introductory remarks.
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,” he said, “it’s us around them who help them define what their experience is. So, to quote the film, they need support and understanding.”
Social media has, unsurprisingly, only fanned the flames. Some have said Tourette’s is “debilitating,” with one person commenting: “Tourette’s making you shout really offensive things seems to have surprised people who have no idea what Tourette’s actually is.” Others have not been so understanding. Jamie Foxx, for example, commented on an Instagram post that Davidson’s outburst was “unacceptable” and “he meant that shit,” which users have criticized as a misunderstanding of what Tourette’s is.
