The 2026 BAFTA Movie Awards ceremony on Sunday (February 22) confronted some uncomfortable interruptions.
Host Alan Cumming addressed the group after a number of loud outbursts had been overheard within the theater all through the present, coming from John Davidsona Tourette’s syndrome campaigner who impressed the BAFTA-winning film, I Swear.
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Earlier than the present started, a flooring supervisor let the viewers know that John has Tourette’s syndrome, Selection reviews, telling the group: “I’d prefer to welcome John Davidson MBE from one among our nominated movies I Swear. John has Tourette’s Syndrome so please remember you would possibly hear some involuntary noises or actions in the course of the ceremony.”
A number of outbursts may very well be heard all through the BAFTA ceremony, together with “shut the f–ok up” throughout an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Puttand “f–ok you” in the course of the Greatest Kids’s and Household Movie acceptance speech.
The viewers additionally heard him shout the N-word when Michael B, Jordan and Delroy Lindo offered the award for Greatest Visible Results to Avatar: Hearth and Ash.
Following the incidents, Alan spoke to the viewers.
“You’ll have observed some robust language within the background. This may be a part of how Tourette’s syndrome exhibits up for some folks because the movie explores that have,” he stated.
“Thanks on your understanding and serving to create a respectful house for everybody.”
“Tourette’s Syndrome is a incapacity and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which implies the one that has Tourette’s Syndrome has no management over their language. We apologize if you’re offended tonight,” Alan added later within the evening.
Selection reported that John “left of his personal accord and was not requested to go away by BAFTA” in the course of the second half of the ceremony. It’s unclear if the outbursts can be included within the stream set to air later within the night.
“John Davidson is essentially the most exceptional man I ever met. He’s so forthcoming with training and he believes there ought to be nonetheless a lot extra we have to find out about Tourette’s. Particularly, I simply need to say for people who find themselves dwelling with Tourette’s it’s the excitement round them that helped outline what their expertise is so, to cite the movie, ‘They want assist and understanding.,’” BAFTA’s EE Rising Star winner Robert Aramayowho performs John in I Swearstated in his acceptance speech.
Right here’s the film synopsis: “Identified with Tourette’s at age 15, John Davidson confronted and overcame many hardships from adolescence and early maturity because of what was slightly recognized and fully misunderstood situation in 1980’s Britain. I Swear is a humorous, heartfelt and shifting account of John’s experiences.”