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

Rolling Stone

by Emily Zemler

March 3, 2026

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Alan Cumming apologized for the chaotic and painful incident at the BAFTA Awards involving John Davidson, whose Tourette’s syndrome caused an involuntary outburst that overshadowed the event. During the ceremony, Davidson shouted the N-word while presenting an award, a moment that was not censored by BBC during its broadcast. This led to widespread distress, particularly for Black individuals who heard the slur and for the Tourette’s community, which faced renewed scrutiny. Cumming reflected on the evening in an Instagram post, expressing regret for how the event unfolded and criticizing decisions made regarding broadcasting slurs and censoring free speech. Davidson, an activist and educator advocating for awareness of Tourette’s syndrome, whose life story was chronicled in the BAFTA-nominated biopic *I Swear*, experienced a momentary lapse that drew unwanted attention. His outburst occurred while presenting the award to Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who later received support from Cumming. The host acknowledged the complexity of the situation during the ceremony, explaining that Davidson’s tics were involuntary and apologizing for any offense caused. The BBC faced criticism for failing to edit out the offensive language in its broadcast, which was later removed from the iPlayer version. Additionally, the network admitted fault in editing out Akinola Davies Jr.’s political statement during his acceptance speech. Cumming highlighted the broader implications of the incident, emphasizing the importance of recognizing trauma and avoiding hasty judgments about complex situations. Davidson has since privately apologized to Jordan and Lindo, while Lindo publicly acknowledged the support they received following the incident. The situation underscores the challenges of balancing free speech with sensitivity, particularly when mental health is involved. It also raises questions about how media organizations handle such moments and their responsibility to foster understanding and respect for all individuals affected.

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Originally published on Rolling Stone on 3/3/2026