Racist Slur Uproar Hits British Academy Awards... Host’s Quick Thinking Defuses Incident

Real-Life Subject of Film With Tourette Syndrome Shouts Slurs at Black Presenters
Host Alan Cumming Repeatedly Apologizes, Calling It an "Involuntary Symptom" and Urging Understanding and Respect

Still from the film 'I Swear'

An unexpected incident involving a racist slur erupted at the 79th British Academy Film Awards.

According to U.S. entertainment outlets such as Variety on the 22nd (local time), Tourette syndrome activist John Davison shouted a series of derogatory slurs against Black people from the audience at the Royal Festival Hall in London, where the ceremony was held.

He attended the event as the real-life protagonist of the film "I Swear," whose lead actor Robert Aramayo won Best Actor that day. The incident occurred the moment Black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo of the film "Sinners" came on stage to present the award for Best Special Visual Effects. Targeting the two presenters as they were about to announce the winner, Davison repeatedly yelled words that demean Black people. Cameras at the venue broadcast this embarrassing moment unfiltered to viewers around the world.

Host Alan Cumming took the microphone to calm the situation. He explained, "The coarse language that went out on the broadcast was an involuntary symptom that people with Tourette syndrome cannot control," and urged, "Let us create a space that respects everyone, based on the understanding of those in attendance." He also repeatedly apologized to viewers and those at the venue who may have felt offended by the unexpected racist remarks.

Tourette syndrome, which Davison has, is a type of neurological disorder accompanied by tic symptoms, in which certain actions or sounds are repeated regardless of the patient’s will. The organizers managed to prevent greater confusion through advance measures. Before the ceremony began, an announcement informed the audience in advance that Davison would be attending and that unexpected noises might occur. Davison left the venue on his own in the latter part of the ceremony without any forcible intervention from the organizers.