Watch: John Davidson Shouts N-Word at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo During BAFTA Awards Stage Moment
An unexpected moment shocked the crowd at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday night when a racial slur was shouted while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage.
The actors were presenting the award for Best Visual Effects when the outburst was heard inside the venue. The voice came from John Davidson, a Tourette’s syndrome campaigner who was attending the ceremony as a guest. The award was given to “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
Jordan and Lindo did not react to the comment. They continued reading the nominees and finished presenting the award without stopping.
Alan Cumming thanked the audience for their “understanding” after repeated outbursts from Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson interrupted the BAFTAs.
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) February 22, 2026
During one moment, n-word was shouted while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. pic.twitter.com/BHx7AoZDab
Host Alan Cumming addressed the situation shortly after. According to Variety, Cumming told the audience, “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.” He added, “Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
Later in the show, he explained further, 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.” He also said, “We apologize if you are offended tonight.”
Davidson is known in the UK for speaking openly about living with severe Tourette’s syndrome. He is the real-life inspiration behind the BAFTA-nominated film “I Swear.” As a teenager, he was featured in the BBC documentary “John’s Not Mad,” which followed his daily life with the condition.
During the ceremony, Davidson’s voice was reportedly heard at other points as well, including during speeches. Variety reported that he appeared to leave the event during the second half of the night. A source told the outlet he was an invited guest and that organizers would not have removed him.
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition that causes repeated movements or sounds, known as tics. These can include sudden words or phrases that the person cannot control. There is no cure, but some people manage symptoms with treatment and support.
The moment created tension in the room, but the ceremony continued without further disruption.
This situation shows how complicated live events can be when medical conditions are involved. It was uncomfortable, especially given the history and weight of the word used. At the same time, Tourette’s syndrome is real, and involuntary tics are not planned or intended to harm. What do you think about how this was handled? Share your thoughts in the comments.
