BAFTA Film Awards host Alan Cumming thanked the audience for their understanding on Sunday night after Tourette’s activist John Davidson made several abusive comments during the show.
Davidson, who was the model for the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, was diagnosed with the syndrome at the age of 25. His symptoms, which first began when he was 12, included tics and uncontrollable outbursts, often accompanied by swearing.
A number of abusive comments were heard at the BAFTAs, including someone yelling “shut up” during BAFTA chair Sarah Putt’s introductory speech, and “fuck you” as the directors of “Boon,” which won the BAFTA for Best Children’s and Family Film, accepted their awards. During another riot, the audience inside the BAFTAs heard Davidson yell the “n” word as Michael B., Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for Best Visual Effects to “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
“You may have noticed that there is strong language in the background. As the film explores that experience, this may be part of the way Tourette syndrome manifests in some people,” director Cumming told the audience, which included the Prince and Princess of Wales. “Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in creating a respectful space for everyone.”
Later in the ceremony, Cumming issued a further statement, saying: “Tourette syndrome is a disorder and the tics we heard tonight are involuntary. That means people with Tourette syndrome have no control over their speech. I apologize if I was offended tonight.”
The abuse was not heard later in the ceremony, when Mr. Davidson appeared to leave the room. Variety understands that he left of his own free will and was not asked to leave by BAFTA. Sources previously told Variety that Davidson is an “invited guest” and will not be asked to leave the ceremony under any circumstances. BAFTA did not respond to a request for comment on whether the profanity would be cut for the two-hour delayed broadcast on BBC One in the UK (it airs on BritBox International in the US and other international territories).
Before the ceremony began, the floor manager also introduced Davidson to the audience, saying: “We would like to welcome John Davidson MBE, whose work I Swear was nominated for. Please note that John has Tourette’s Syndrome, so you may hear involuntary noises and movements during the ceremony.”
‘I Swear’ stars ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Ring of Power’ star Robert Aramayo as Davidson and follows him as a 25-year-old after his appearance in the seminal BBC documentary ‘John’s Not Mad’, which first introduced Tourette’s to a wider audience.
The film, directed, written and produced by Kirk Jones, was nominated for five BAFTAs, including Best Actor for Aramayo, Best Supporting Actor for co-star Peter Mullan, Best Original Screenplay and Best Casting (the latter won). The film is also nominated for the Best British Film Award.
Aramayo also won the EE Rising Star Award at the BAFTAs on Sunday night. Accepting the award, Director Aramayo said, “John Davidson is the most remarkable person I’ve ever met. He’s very pro-education and believes there’s a lot more we have to learn about Tourette’s. All I want to say to people in particular who are living with Tourette’s is that, in the words of the film, the surrounding topics help define what their experience is like.”
Since Davidson announced his diagnosis 40 years ago, many celebrities have revealed they suffer from the syndrome, for which there is no cure. These include Billie Eilish and Lewis Capaldi.
Ahead of the awards ceremony, Emma McNally, CEO of the advocacy and research charity Tourette Action, said in a statement to Variety: “We’ve had a huge number of people contact us about ‘I Vow’, both those living with Tourette’s syndrome and those who have not previously had any contact with the disease. All have been deeply affected by this film. It has clearly sparked a huge public response.”
“Viewers have told us that watching John’s true story told with such depth and honesty has helped them better understand what Tourette’s disease is and how it affects individuals, something they have rarely considered before.”
“As more people speak up and more accurate on-screen representation emerges, we look forward to continuing to move toward a more inclusive and understanding society for everyone living with Tourette’s disease.”
