Alan Cumming Apologizes At BAFTA Film Awards For Tourette’s Swearing

Alan Cumming briefly halted the BAFTA Film Awards twice to apologize and thank the audience for their understanding amid interruptions from a nominee with Tourette’s syndrome.

The Traitors presenter took time to acknowledge the involuntary shouting from Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson, who is the subject of biopic I Swear.

Davidson was sitting in the Royal Festival Hall audience, and his tics were picked up by microphones in the room. It was audible on the BBC television broadcast.

Some of his comments caused presenters and winners to take a beat during on-stage remarks. At one point, for example, Davidson shouted “boring” and “f**k off” during opening comments from BAFTA chair Sara Putt.

He also said the N-word when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for Best Visual Effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash. The interruption was audible on television.

Between prizes, Cumming said the audience “may have noticed” the “strong language.” He thanked attendees for their understanding and for creating a “respectful space for everyone.” Later, Cumming said he was sorry if anyone was offended, stressing that the “tics are involuntary.”

Deadline reported earlier this week that Davidson’s attendance had come up in planning meetings between the BBC and producers, Penny Lane TV.

Davidson exited the auditorium at one point in the ceremony. It is not clear if he returned to his seat, but the interuptions appeared to end.

Davidson is a remarkable ambassador for his disability, helping support others with Tourette’s syndrome through public speaking and other activism.

In 2018, he was awarded an honor by Queen Elizabeth II for his work in increasing understanding of the condition. He was featured in the 1989 documentary John’s Not Mad.

“Tourette’s is such an awful condition that most of the time I don’t want to be the centre of attention,” he told BBC News last year. “I want to be able to walk down the street and not be noticed because I’m shouting or swearing.”

Davidson is portrayed in I Swear by Robert Aramayo, who said Davidson was the “most remarkable man I’ve ever met” when accepting the Rising Star prize. The film was nominated for Outstanding British Film.