Host Alan Cumming Apologizes for ‘Trauma Triggering Shitshow’ at BAFTA Awards

All Apologies Host Alan Cumming Apologizes for ‘Trauma Triggering Shitshow’ at BAFTA Awards "We all felt let down by decisions made to both broadcast slurs and censor free speech," he wrote on Instagram By Emily Zemler Emily Zemler View all posts by Emily Zemler March 3, 2026 Alan Cumming took to Instagram to reflect on the BAFTA Awards and to apologize for how John Davidson’s Tourette’s outburst was handled. “What should’ve been an evening celebrating creativity as well as diversity and inclusion turned into a trauma triggering shitshow,” Cumming wrote. “I’m so sorry for all the pain Black people have felt at hearing that word echoed around the world. I’m so sorry the Toruettes community has been reminded of the lack of understanding and tolerance that abounds regarding their condition.” Davidson is an activist and longtime educator on Tourette’s syndrome, whose life story was turned into the BAFTA-nominated biopic I Swear . During the ceremony, Davidson shouted the N-word at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo while they were on stage presenting the award for Best Special Visual Effects. Davidson’s Tourette’s causes involuntary tics, and he was heard cursing throughout the show, however the BBC failed to censor the N-word during its broadcast, causing further harm. Cumming continued, “The only possible good that could come of this is a reminder that words matter, that rushing to judgement about things of which we are not fully cognisant is folly, that all trauma must be recognised and honoured.” The host added that “we all felt let down by decisions made to both broadcast slurs and censor free speech.” Notably, the BBC edited out Akinola Davies Jr. concluding his acceptance speech for Outstanding British Debut for My Father’s Shadow by calling to “free Palestine.” Cumming concluded his post by congratulating “all the artists whose work was overshadowed by the night’s events.” Davidson has since addressed the incident and said he privately apologizes to Jordan and L...