BAFTA Host Alan Cumming Apologizes for ‘Trauma-Triggering’ Slur Incident

Nicole WeaverTue, March 3, 2026 at 2:12 AM UTC

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(Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)

The BAFTAs took place on February 22, and everyone was shocked when the N-word was shouted while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo of Sinners were on stage to present. The slur was uncensored.

It was later revealed that other words shouted throughout the night were censored. Lindo, 73, said no one apologized to them personally after the offensive moment. Host, Alan Cumming explained later in the ceremony that someone with Tourette’s syndrome was in the audience. Cumming, 61, gave his first statement since that night.

Alan Cumming apologizes for the "trauma-triggering" BAFTAs

The Traitors host posted a slide of pictures with text on March 2, a week after the incident. "What should have been an evening celebrating creativity as well as diversity and inclusion turned into a trauma triggering sh-tshow," read the text. "I'm so sorry all the pain Black people have felt at hearing that word echoed round the world. I'm so sorry the Tourette's community has been reminded of the lack of understand and tolerance that abounds regarding their condition."

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Tourette Syndrome Campaigner, John Davidson, was in attendance to celebrate the movie I, Swear, based on his life. Robert Aramayo made BAFTA history that night, and won Best Leading Actor for playing him. Davidson reportedly decided to leave in the middle of the award show.

Related: NAACP Image Awards: Delroy Lindo and Ryan Coogler Respond to Support After Slur Fiasco

"We were all let down by decisions made to both broadcast slurs and censor free speech," Cumming wrote on the third slide of his Instagram post. Davidson later revealed his other tics that night were edited out unlike the N-word. He finished by congratulating the artists who were overshadowed that night.

The Sinners cast continued their award show run this past weekend. They attended the NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 28. Regina Hall showed support for Jordan, 39, on stage. “I feel like also to just take a moment to the two kings who are in this audience and just send you so much love for your class and that is Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo,” the One Battle After Another star said. The audience gave a long applause in response.

This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”