The BAFTA Film Awards are facing renewed scrutiny following a controversial moment where a man with Tourette’s screamed a racial slur live on the broadcast.
The incident has sparked debate across the entertainment industry, after many in Hollywood were sympathetic to the man while others reacted with outrage and publicly criticized how the moment was handled during the ceremony.
During the BAFTAs there were repeated outbursts by Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson during the awards show, including the audible use of a racial slur while presenters Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. The moment, which aired despite a broadcast delay, prompted responses from BAFTAs host Alan Cumming and later from industry figures and commentators online.
What Happened During the Ceremony
During the BAFTAs broadcast, John Davidson — whose life inspired the nominated biopic I Swear — repeatedly shouted profanity from the audience. At one point, he was heard shouting a racial slur while Jordan and Lindo presented the visual effects award.
Host Alan Cumming addressed the situation twice on stage.
Alan Cumming at the BAFTAs – BBC
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In his first explanation, Cumming told viewers: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background there, this can be part of Tourette’s for some people and thank you for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
Later in the broadcast, he added: “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.”
Prior to the ceremony, a floor manager had also warned attendees that Davidson has “Tourette’s Syndrome so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.”
Despite the show airing on a delay in both the U.K. and the U.S., the moment was not removed from the broadcast.
Hannah Beachler Says Apology “Made It Worse”
Sinners Production Designer Hannah Beachler, who was nominated at the ceremony, shared her reaction in a post on X following the event.
“I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can’t find the words,” Beachler wrote. “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.
And a third time at a Black woman. 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”
— HannahBeachler (@HannahEBeachler) February 23, 2026
She later criticized the wording of the on-air response from Cumming.
“But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show,” she said. “Of course we were offended…but our frequency, our spiritual vibration is tuned to a higher level than what happened. I am not steal [sic], this did not bounce off of me, but I exist above it. It can’t take away from who I am as an artist.”
According to the report, Beachler also noted that a third incident during the evening was directed at another Black woman.
Online Reaction Intensifies
The incident quickly spread across social media, where commentators and industry observers weighed in on the situation.
Tourette’s means no filter, which means this man thought it. Despicable.
The BAFTAs out here making fools of themselves and the entertainment industry. https://t.co/0ZST3XPx3D
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) February 23, 2026
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Film commentator Grace Randolph wrote on X: “Tourette’s means no filter, which means this man thought it. Despicable. The BAFTAs out here making fools of themselves and the entertainment industry.”
Her post later received a Community Note adding context: “It is crucial to understand that these words or complex phrases do not necessarily reflect the thoughts, beliefs or opinions of the person with coprolalia.”
Randolph later posted additional reactions, including: “No matter how Tourette’s works, that the BAFTAs subjected Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo to that is outrageous and shameful.”
I certainly want Mr Davidson who has Tourette’s to have a nice life…
But that ANYONE
Would defend Jordan & Lindo going up in front of their peers in a professional setting – ON TELEVISION – and having to be called a racist slur
IS RIDICULOUS
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) February 23, 2026
She also stted: “I certainly want Mr Davidson who has Tourette’s to have a nice life… But that ANYONE Would defend Jordan & Lindo going up in front of their peers in a professional setting — ON TELEVISION — and having to be called a racist slur IS RIDICULOUS.”
Awards Night Continues Amid Controversy
Despite the disruption, I Swear went on to win multiple awards during the ceremony, including a leading actor win for Robert Aramayo for his portrayal of Davidson.
Alan Cumming hosting at the BAFTAs – BBC
As of this writing, the BAFTAs has not issued an additional formal statement on the slur beyond remarks made during the broadcast.
The BAFTAs slur moment continues to generate discussion within industry circles and online communities as reactions to the incident and its handling continue to unfold.
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