Overview
- John Davidson, a Tourette’s campaigner and the real-life inspiration for I Swear, involuntarily shouted the N-word as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented, prompting host Alan Cumming to explain the tics and apologize onstage.
- Because Cumming’s early explanation did not appear in the edited broadcast, viewers were initially confused as multiple outbursts, including “boring” and expletives, were picked up by venue microphones.
- Davidson later left the auditorium of his own accord, according to reports, as discussion spread about how live events and broadcasters should address involuntary disability-related speech.
- The BBC issued an official apology and said the segment would be removed from BBC iPlayer, while Delroy Lindo said he wished BAFTA had spoken to him and Jordan afterward.
- Robert Aramayo won Best Leading Actor and the EE Rising Star award for I Swear, as One Battle After Another led the night with six wins and Sinners and Hamnet also collected major prizes.