BAFTAs host Alan Cumming thanks audience for 'understanding' following expletives from Tourette's advocate
Alan Cumming, host of the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, explained the numerous outbursts from Tourette's campaigner John Davidson during the show and thanked the audience for their understanding.
Davidson, 54, was an invited guest, having been the inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated biographical film I Swear. The drama follows the Scottish man from when he was a child with tics to the present time, where he lives with Tourette's syndrome.
Before the ceremony started, the floor manager introduced Davidson to the audience, as he said, "I'd like to welcome John Davidson MBE from one of our nominated films, I Swear. John has Tourette's Syndrome so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony."
Throughout the first part of the awards night, several outbursts rang across the room, including "Shut the f**k up," while BAFTA chair Sara Putt was delivering her introductory speech, and "F**k you," when the directors of BAFTA's best children's and family film Boong accepted their award.
Davidson also shouted a racial slur as Michael B. Joran and Delroy Lindo were presenting the award for best visual effects to the team from Avatar: Fire and Ash.
"You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette's syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience," Cumming, 61, told the audience, as reported by Variety.
"Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone," the host added.
Later on, Cumming further explained: "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."
Before the second half of the ceremony began, Variety reported that Davidson left the room voluntarily, emphasizing he was not asked by BAFTA to leave.
Davidson was portrayed in I Swear by Robert Aramayo, who won the BAFTA for Best Actor. In his acceptance speech, as reported by PEOPLE Magazine, Aramayo paid tribute to Davidson.
"John Davidson is the most remarkable man I ever met. He's so forthcoming with education and he believes there should still be so much more we need to learn about Tourette's," Aramayo, 33, said.
"I just want to say for people who are living with Tourette's, it's the buzz around them that helped define what their experience is. So to quote the film, 'They need support and understanding'," he continued.
