Alan Cumming addressed the BAFTA 2026 controversy after a racial slur was heard during the ceremony. He apologised for the pain caused, called the moment trauma-triggering, and said words matter, while also criticising the BBC’s handling of the broadcast
Alan Cumming
The BAFTA Film Awards 2026 witnessed the biggest stars from around the world. While the focus remained on the awards and speeches, there was commotion in between after John Davidson, a nominee with Tourette's syndrome, used racial slur words while Black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award. Actor and filmmaker Alan Cumming, who recently hosted the BAFTA, has reacted to the controversy.
Alan Cumming addresses BAFTA’s controversy
The actor took to Instagram to address the outburst by Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson at the 79th edition of the ceremony, during which he shouted the N-word while ‘Sinners’ stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were onstage. He wrote, “What should’ve been an evening celebrating creativity, as well as diversity and inclusion, turned into a trauma-triggering s*******. I’m so sorry for all the pain Black people have felt at hearing that word echoed around the world. I’m so sorry the Tourette’s community has been reminded of the lack of understanding and tolerance that abounds regarding their condition.”
He continued, “The only possible good that could come of this is a reminder that words matter, that rushing to judgment about things of which we are not fully cognisant is folly, and that all trauma must be recognised and honoured.”
As per ‘Variety’, Cumming added he felt “let down” that the BBC allowed the N-word to be audible on air while, at the same time, choosing to “censor free speech.”
About the controversy
At the 79th BAFTA Film Awards in London, John Davidson, a Scottish Tourette’s syndrome activist and the real-life subject of the film ‘I Swear’, was seated in the audience when several of his involuntary vocal tics were audible during the ceremony. One such tic included the N-word, which was heard as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award. The BBC’s tape-delayed broadcast initially carried the offensive language before it was later removed from streaming versions.
Davidson publicly expressed remorse for the “pain” caused while clarifying that his tics do not reflect his beliefs. The incident prompted criticism of how the broadcast was handled and sparked broader discussion about disability representation at awards shows.
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