BAFTA host thanks audience for their 'understanding' after activist with Tourette's yells N-word at two black actors during awards ceremony

An incident took place at the BAFTA Film Awards while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage, as campaigner John Davidson shouted the n-word during their appearance. Video of the moment was shared on X: 

Davidson is the inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated film “I Swear” and was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at age 25. His symptoms include tics and involuntary vocal outbursts, as the syndrome is a neurological disorder that can involve involuntary motor and vocal tics.

A post circulating on social media described the moment as follows: “Here’s the moment John Davidson (white man) from #ISwear shouted the N-WORD when Delroy Lindo & #MichaelBJordan were on stage. Yes, its an involuntary tick disorder. But need convincing he’s not internally racist too.”

Another widely shared headline stated: “BAFTA host thanks audience for their ‘understanding’ after activist with Tourette’s yells N-word at two black actors during awards ceremony.”

BAFTA Film Awards host Alan Cumming addressed the interruption directly from the stage, telling attendees: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background there, this can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience.” He later thanked the audience for their “understanding.”