The BBC has apologised after a Tourette syndrome campaigner’s offensive tics were heard during last night’s Bafta Film Awards broadcast.
Campaigner John Davidson, who has severe Tourette’s and whose life is depicted in the award-winning I Swear, was a guest at the ceremony and his tics could be heard during speeches by Sara Putt and Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. As well as swearing, Davidson could be heard using a racial slur.
The coverage was broadcast with a delay on BBC1 last night and the segments were available on iPlayer this morning, However, the entire broadcast is now currently unavailable. The Bafta Film Awards are co-produced by Penny Lane Entertainment.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards 2026. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard.”
Host Alan Cumming said at the start of the ceremony: “John has Tourette syndrome so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.”
Later on, he added: “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. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
Davidson is portrayed in I Swear by Robert Aramayo, who picked up the best actor award in one of the shock wins of the night, as well as the EE rising star award voted for by the public.
Davidson later left the ceremony but was not asked to leave by organisers.
The BBC also released a separate statement to Screen on why it cut a segment of the speech by My Father’s Shadow filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., which included the phrase “Free Palestine”.
The BBC said: ”The live event is three hours and it has to be reduced to two hours for its on-air slot. The same happened to other speeches made during the night and all edits were made to ensure the programme was delivered to time. All winners’ speeches will be available to watch via Bafta’s YouTube Channel.”
A version of this story first appeared on Screen’s sister site Broadcast
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