The BAFTA Film Awards sparked a huge talking point last night after BAFTAs host Alan Cumming apologised on air following audible involuntary tics from Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson during the BBC broadcast.
The moment came after Robert Aramayo picked up Best Actor for his performance in I Swear, a biopic telling John’s real-life story.
Alan told viewers: “You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film I Swear, you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome.
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“Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended.”
What happened during the BAFTAs broadcast?
John was in the audience as the ceremony aired on BBC One on delay. Several involuntary tics could be heard during the show, including shouted phrases during speeches and award presentations.
These included the words “shut the [bleep] up” being shouted during an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt. “[Bleep] you” was heard when the award for best children’s and family film was handed out. Viewers also heard the n-word shouted as Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award.
One audience member later wrote online: “I was at the BAFTAs. John Davidson had been involuntary ticking before the show started, and throughout. All guests were made aware before the show started and throughout as to why.”
Viewers react to the apology
After Alan’s explanation, some viewers criticised the decision to apologise, arguing it undermined the film’s message. One wrote: “Oh FFS why apologise for the Tourette’s in the audience #BAFTAs It’s undermining the whole point of I SWEAR.” Another said: “I understand the mentioning of someone with Tourette’s tic-ing and explaining they cannot help it. But you ruined it by apologising for it.”
A third added: “Did they really just apologise for Tourette’s at the very moment they honoured it. Get a bloody grip.”
Others questioned why certain language was not edited from the delayed broadcast, with comments including: “Why not edit the racist shouts out?” and “The BBC was extremely irresponsible for not censoring that moment.”
BBC statement after BAFTAs Tourette’s backlash
Now, the BBC has revealed it’s removed the BAFTAs from its streaming service, iPlayer. The page currently states that the broadcast is “coming soon”.
In a statement, it said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”
Reports suggested John left during the second half of the ceremony.
Robert also addressed the moment afterwards, saying: “First of all the are tics. He is ticking. We have to understand. The way we perceive Tourette’s is a joint responsibility. It’s not shouting obscenities. It’s not being abusive – it’s Tourette’s. They are tics. If it can lead to a deeper understanding of Tourette’s, and movies are part of that conversation, then it’s an incredible thing.”
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