Alan Cumming Asks BAFTAs Audience for ‘Understanding’ After Mid-Show Slur from Tourette Syndrome Activist John Davidson https://t.co/3vYOsHpodn
— People (@people) February 23, 2026
Alan Cumming, host of the 2026 BAFTA Awards, thanked the audience for their understanding after Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson yelled expletives and a racial slur during the show.
Davidson was the subject of the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, a movie based on his life and experiences with Tourette syndrome.
Davidson could be heard swearing at a few points and shouted the n-word when actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for Best Visual Effects.
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background,” Cumming told the audience. “This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people, as the film explores that experience. 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,” he said.
