Alan Cumming breaks silence on BAFTAs broadcast controversy: “We were all let down”

by

Alan Cumming has addressed the issue sparked by a racial slur that was broadcast during last week’s pre-recorded BAFTA Film Awards on BBC One. The offensive term was also included in the version available on iPlayer, but it was later taken down from the streaming service.

After the BAFTA Film Awards aired on February 23rd, some viewers reported hearing strong language. A BBC spokesperson explained this was due to involuntary tics related to Tourette syndrome, and wasn’t intentional. The BBC has apologized for not removing the language before broadcast and has taken the program down from BBC iPlayer.

Alan Cumming took to Instagram today to express his disappointment with an incident that disrupted a celebratory event. He explained that what was meant to be an evening focused on creativity, diversity, and inclusion unfortunately became a distressing and upsetting experience.

What to Read Next

I deeply regret the hurt caused to Black communities by the widespread use of that word. I also apologize to those with Tourette’s syndrome for the reminder of the misunderstanding and lack of acceptance they often face.

Perhaps something positive can come from this situation: a renewed understanding of the power of words, a caution against making quick judgments without knowing all the facts, and a greater respect for the impact of trauma on everyone.

He finished by saying that everyone was disappointed by the choices to both allow offensive language to be aired and to suppress open expression. He also commended the artists whose contributions were unfortunately diminished by what happened that night.

During the event on February 22nd, Cumming addressed the audience, acknowledging that some may have overheard offensive language. He explained that the language came from a scene in the film I Swear, which portrays the experiences of someone living with Tourette syndrome.

Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes involuntary tics, including verbal ones. This means people with Tourette’s can’t control these sounds or words. We’re sorry if anything you heard was upsetting.

John Davidson, who has Tourette’s syndrome and was featured in the BAFTA-nominated documentary I Swear, attended the BAFTAs. During the ceremony, particularly at the beginning, he involuntarily shouted several times. This included a racial slur while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the award for Special Visual Effects.

Following Alan Cumming’s statement and announcements from the BBC and BAFTA, he has now shared his own response. He stated that he’s always been very upset if anyone has interpreted his involuntary tics as deliberate or meaningful.

Davidson explained that he’s dedicated his life to supporting people with Tourette’s syndrome and promoting understanding and kindness. He left the awards ceremony because he noticed his involuntary movements were bothering others, and he wanted to be considerate.

After the event, BAFTA sincerely apologized to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan. They also expressed their gratitude for the actors’ grace and professionalism.

During the event, John made the thoughtful decision to view the remainder of the ceremony on a screen rather than stay in the auditorium. We want to thank him for his grace and for putting others first, especially as it should have been a celebratory evening for him.

We sincerely apologize for the difficult experience our guests had and take full responsibility for the situation. We’re committed to learning from this and will continue to prioritize inclusivity in everything we do, as we believe film and storytelling are powerful tools for building understanding and compassion.

Read More

2026-03-03 14:19