Alan Cumming has called this year’s BAFTAs a “trauma triggering s***show” after footage aired in which a Tourette’s campaigner was heard using a racial slur.
The BAFTAs were held on February 22, with The Traitors US host Cumming leading the ceremony.
Although the event was shown on the BBC with a two-hour delay, controversy erupted over what was — and wasn’t — edited for broadcast. Viewers noted that while the broadcaster cut part of Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jr.’s remarks about Palestine, it did not remove a moment in which John Davidson shouted the N-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage.
The BBC later issued an apology, but did not clarify why the slur remained in the final transmission.
BAFTA has also responded, saying it accepts “full responsibility” for the incident.
At the time, Cumming addressed the moment in the room and offered context to the audience, saying: “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.
“Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
He has since spoken again, issuing further apologies to Black viewers and to people living with Tourette’s.
“What should’ve been an evening celebrating creativity as well as diversity and inclusion turned into a trauma triggering sh**show,” Cumming wrote on Instagram.
“I’m so sorry for all the pain Black people have felt at hearing that word echoed around the world. I’m so sorry the Toruettes community has been reminded of the lack of understanding and tolerance that abounds regarding their condition.”
The Good Wife actor added: “The only possible good that could come of this is a reminder that words matter, that rushing to judgement about things of which we are not fully cognisant is folly, that all trauma must be recognised and honoured.”
He also said people were “let down by decision made to both broadcast slurs and censor free speech.”
“Congratulations to the artists whose work was overshadowed by the night’s events,” he concluded.
Davidson, meanwhile, has said he will not apologize for having Tourette’s syndrome, but did express regret for the impact the incident may have had.
“Whilst I will never apologize for having Tourette syndrome, I will apologize for any pain, upset and misunderstanding that it may create,” he said in a statement.
Davidson — whose life is portrayed in the film I Swear, — added that the days after the BAFTAs have been “tough,” and that the backlash has underlined the need for greater awareness of what he described as “such a misunderstood condition.”