Tourette’s activist shouts racist slurs at Michael B. Jordan at Baftas
BAFTA presenter Alan Cumming was forced to apologize after a Tourette’s campaigner shouted racist slurs at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo during Sunday night’s ceremony.
RadarOnline.com can reveal the Scottish actor, 61, has issued a statement explaining John Davidson’s outbursts, which inspired the British film I swearwhich scored five nominations during the event.
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Tics caused by Jordan throwing a gong
Jordan and Lindo’s presence on stage caused the Tourette’s campaigner to tic.
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His tics prompted insults, including the N-word, as Jordan, 39, and Lindo, 73, presented the night’s first prize for Best Special Visual Effects.
The tics were picked up by the BBC and made it into the TV broadcast of the ceremony, despite a two-hour delay.
In his response, Cumming, a first-time attendee, said: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background.
“This may be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up in some people as the film explores that experience.
“Thank you for your understanding and helping to create a respectful space for all.”
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‘We apologize if you were offended tonight’
Scottish presenter Alan Cumming was forced to apologize after tics were heard on air.
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Later that evening the Traitors USA presenter added: “Tourette’s syndrome is a disability and the tics you heard tonight are involuntary, meaning the person with Tourette’s syndrome has no control over their language.
“We apologize if you felt offended tonight.”
According to reports, Davidson, 54, left the venue of his own accord during the second half of the ceremony.
Before that, he had also shouted ‘shut the f— up’ during an introductory speech and ‘f— you’ during the presentation of the award for best children’s and family film.
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N-Word accusations repeated throughout ceremony
John Davidson, far left, was accused by “Sinners” production designer Hannah Beachler of repeatedly saying the “N-word.”
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In the meantime, Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler claimed on X that the N-word tic incident was repeated several times that night, including once to her when she attended a post-show dinner.
She wrote: “I deeply understand and know why this is an impossible situation.
“I know we have to handle this with grace and keep pushing forward.
“But what made the situation worse was the throwaway ‘if you were offended’ apology at the end of the show.”
BBC spokesperson said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language at the 2026 Bafta Film Awards.
“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional.
“We apologize for any offense caused by the language heard.”
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Aramayo won two gongs for his role as Davidson in ‘I Swear.’
Tourette’s syndrome is a ‘condition that causes you to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements’, also called tics.
Examples of tics include whistling, snorting or clearing your throat a lot, making animal noises, repeating a sound, word or phrase, and swearing, although it is noted that this only occurs in rare cases.
“Tics can be caused by several things, including stress, excitement or fatigue.”
I swear won two of the awards for which it was nominated, including Best Actor for Robert Aramayo.
The Brit also picked up the coveted Rising Star award during the ceremony, the only award viewers could vote for.
