The 2026 BAFTAs ceremony was mired in controversy this weekend after Tourette’s activist John Davidson shouted slurs during the ceremony. The BBC has since apologized while actor Jamie Foxx has spoken out on the situation.
Marvel star Alan Cumming hosted the 79th British Academy Film Awards, which unfolded on Sunday (February 22) at the Royal Festival Hall in London to celebrate the best in national and international 2025 movies.
Among the celebrities in attendance were Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, and Emma Stone, with movies like Sinners, One Battle After Another, and Frankenstein receiving honors.
The Best Actor accolade went to Robert Aramayo for his portrayal of John Davidson in I Swear, a biographical film about Davidson’s life and the hostility he’s faced due to having severe Tourette’s syndrome.
BAFTAs 2026 Tourette’s controversy explained
Davidson was able to attend in person at the 2026 BAFTAs, and while in the crowd, he was heard shouting multiple times throughout the ceremony, including using the n-word when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting an award.
The Hollywood Reporter stated that Davidson was given a warm welcome at the ceremony, and before it began, attendees and hosts were told, “John has Tourette’s syndrome, so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.”
Approximately 25 minutes into the show, shortly after the Jordan and Lindo incident, Davidson left. Prior to this, he had also shouted “Bullsh*t” and “Shut the f*ck up”.
Host Alan Cumming made two announcements during the event to give context, saying, “Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language.
“We apologize if you are offended tonight.”
Robert Aramayo also commented on the situation, telling the BBC, “First of all, they’re tics – he’s ticcing – and we have to understand that the way we receive Tourette’s is a joint responsibility.
“It’s not shouting obscenities, it’s not being abusive – it’s Tourette’s and they’re tics.”
Sinners production designer Hannah Beachler has accused Cumming’s announcement of making the situation worse while giving further context of what happened.
In a series of X posts, she wrote, “I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can’t find the words. The situation is almost impossible, but it happened three times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show.
“And a third time at a Black woman. I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show.
“Of course we were offended… but our frequency, our spiritual vibration is tuned to a higher level than what happened. I am not steel, this did not bounce off of me, but I exist above it. It can’t take away from who I am as an artist.”
While the incident has sparked a heated and widespread debate online, much of the criticism has been aimed at the BBC for failing to censor the slurs despite the fact that it’s not aired live and other language was cut, including people shouting, “Free Palestine.”
The ceremony took place in the afternoon, before being broadcast on the BBC at 7pm. The unedited version remained on its streaming service, BBC iPlayer, overnight.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, “It should have been bleeped, because I was told that there were two other things that were bleeped… people shouting Free Palestine. So that is a huge error.
“The BBC made a mistake, a horrible mistake, I think the two actors who were standing there will have been the people who were the most embarrassed, because they wouldn’t have known what was going on.”
BBC apologizes for broadcasting slurs
The BBC has since apologized for not censoring the racial slurs from the 2026 BAFTAs and has removed the unedited version from iPlayer. At the time of writing, a live report on its apology is currently airing.
Earlier today (February 23), the broadcaster issued the following statement: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards.
“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologize that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”
The Guardian reported that the producers editing the ceremony were allegedly doing so from a truck and did not hear the slur.
Jamie Foxx sparks controversy
Amid the tumult, Jamie Foxx took to the comments of a post about the situation, describing Davidson’s remarks as “unacceptable” and saying, “Nah, he meant that sh*t.”
The Django Unchained star is now facing backlash of his own for his comments, with netizens taking to his latest Instagram post congratulating Ryan Coogler for his BAFTA award.
“Do some education on Tourette’s syndrome Jamie,” wrote one, while another said, “It’s almost like they should make a movie about Tourette’s to provide some education… oh wait, they did… and it won a load of BAFTAs.”
A third added, “Just so you know @iamjamiefoxx John Davidson said ‘f**k the Queen’ to the Queen when she awarded him his MBE back in 2019. Watch the film before commenting.”
A fourth chimed in, “Jamie please take some time to research Tourette syndrome. It causes involuntary sounds/movement that the person can’t control. John has the coprolalia type when makes him say extremely offensive words.
“They aren’t his thoughts/views, it’s the syndrome. I hope you take some time to watch his film to further your understanding. John is a lovely man.”
Viewers ask for nuance
The internet right now is divided over the situation, which is why many netizens are asking for nuance. Moderators of the popculturechat subreddit took to the comments section of the Foxx news to ask for this.
“We’ve seen a lot of strong reactions to this situation and honestly, this is one of those times where things are deeply complicated and there are no easy, perfect answers,” they wrote.
“Tourette’s is a neurological condition that for some, can involve involuntary vocalizations. That reality exists at the same time as another very real truth: racial slurs are painful, harmful, and upsetting for people who hear them.
“Both things can be true at once, and that is what has made this situation so deeply complicated.
“It’s okay to feel conflicted, hurt, uncomfortable or angry. It’s important to remember though that not everything done by someone with a disability is intentional or malicious.
“What we don’t want is dogpiling, harassment, or using this moment to mock disability or to dismiss the impact of racist language. Please keep discussions thoughtful, empathetic, and grounded in good faith. Assume people are trying to understand, not just ‘win.’
“Pop culture doesn’t always give us clean villains or clear-cut takes, and this is one of those times. Let’s treat each other with compassion while we talk it through.”
Another responded to this, “I felt so angry seeing people on this subreddit commenting that John should have been excluded from the event.
“As a black person, I understand the effect that slur has on my community. We should be able to have a nuanced discussion. The black actors on the stage and any other black person should not have heard the slur. It wasn’t John’s intention to say slur.
“We shouldn’t be looking at this situation through one lens. I have a stammer, which gets worse at stressful situations. It’s not the same as Tourette’s but I understand the lack control over speech and the fear of being judged and excluded because of it.
“I can’t imagine how mortifying that situation was for all people involved. Grace needs to be given to John. Context matters.
“I watched a movie ten years ago about a teacher who had Tourette’s. Seeing the challenges faced by the main character helped me accept the part of me that is different. Empathy is the answer not condemnation. Educate yourselves.”
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