BBC responds to offensive language being heard during the BAFTA Film Awards broadcast

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The BBC has responded to complaints about strong language used during last night’s BAFTA Film Awards. Although the ceremony was pre-recorded, some of the offensive terms made it into the broadcast on BBC One, and are still audible on iPlayer.

During the event, host Alan Cumming addressed recent events by explaining that some strong language was used. He noted that this language was related to the film I Swear, which portrays the experience of living with Tourette syndrome.

Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes involuntary tics, meaning people with the condition can’t control these movements or sounds. We’re sorry if anything you heard was upsetting.

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John Davidson, who has Tourette’s Syndrome and was featured in the BAFTA-nominated documentary I Swear, attended the awards ceremony last night. Throughout the evening, and particularly at the beginning, his tics caused him to shout involuntarily. This included a racial slur during the presentation of the Special Visual Effects award by Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.

A BBC representative explained to Digital Spy that some strong and offensive language was unintentionally broadcast during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards. This was due to verbal tics related to Tourette syndrome, and the BBC apologizes to anyone who was offended.

John Davidson at last night’s BAFTA Film Awards

Robert Aramayo unexpectedly won two awards last night, including Leading Actor for his role as Davidson in the film I Swear, and used his Rising Star award acceptance speech to raise awareness and ask for greater understanding of Tourette’s Syndrome, a condition the film also focuses on.

I’ve never met anyone quite like John Davidson. He’s incredibly open about the importance of education, especially when it comes to understanding Tourette’s syndrome – he feels there’s still a lot we don’t know.

Tonight, I especially want to reach out to those living with Tourette’s. Their experience is heavily influenced by how others react to them. As the film says, they really need our support and understanding.

In September 2025, before his album I Swear came out, Davidson discussed living with Tourette’s syndrome in an interview with BBC News. He explained that the condition is often difficult because he doesn’t want to draw attention to himself, simply wanting to be able to go about his day without being noticed for involuntary outbursts of shouting or swearing.

The BAFTA Film Awards is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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2026-02-23 12:19