BAFTA has apologised via host Alan Cumming after Tourette Syndrome campaigner John Davidson was heard shouting profane outbursts during this year’s ceremony.
Davidson has the condition that causes sudden, repetitive sounds or movements – known as tics – and is the subject of film I Swear, up for several awards this year.
During last night’s (February 22) event, he was in attendance – though at several points during the ceremony was heard shouting profane language, including using the n-word as actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the Best Special Visual Effects award.
He was also heard shouting “fuck you” as Boong’s directors collected the Best Children’s & Family Film award, and “shut the fuck up” when an introductory speech was made by BAFTA chair Sara Putt.
Cumming – who was overseeing this year’s ceremony – subsequently apologised to audiences, saying: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background.
“This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
He later echoed this sentiment, saying: “Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you are offended tonight.”
According to Variety, Davidson left the ceremony of his own accord in the second half, and as an “invited guest” he would have not been asked to leave under any circumstances. The site also reports that the floor manager told audiences before the show that due to Davidson’s Tourette’s, those in attendance “might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony”.
However, his outbursts were left in the eventual BBC broadcast, despite it being on a two-hour delay from the actual ceremony.
Actor Robert Aramayo’s performance as Davidson provided one of the biggest surprises in BAFTA history after he took home the Best Actor award over Hollywood heavyweights such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. He also won the BAFTA Rising Star Award.
Meanwhile, One Battle After Another dominated the awards, taking home six gongs including Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, while Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for Hamnet. Wunmi Mosaku took home Best Supporting Actress for Sinners, the film also winning Best Screenplay and Best Score.
This year’s BAFTAs also showcased a few musical performances, including a rendition of ‘Golden’ from hit Netflix animation KPop Demon Hunters by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, as well as Jessie Ware singing a moving version of Barbra Streisand’s ‘The Way We Were’ for the In Memoriam segment.