Alan Cumming thanks Baftas for ‘understanding’ after Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson’s expletive outbursts

Alan Cumming thanked the Baftas audience for showing ‘respect’ tonight after Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson was heard shouting during the show.

The Traitors presenter fronted the film ceremony for the first time tonight as a whole host of A-listers filled the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothee Chalamet, Emma Stone, Kate Hudson, and Paul Mescal were among the stars in attendance to celebrate another epic 12 months of both British and international film.

One of the movies recognised at the prestigious 79th ceremony was I Swear, which tells Davidson’s real story of growing up with severe Tourette’s syndrome in the 1980s.

Robert Aramayo, 33, portrays him in the biographical drama, in which Davidson navigates a society that does not understand his condition, eventually becoming a campaigner to raise awareness.

As explained by the NHS, Tourette’s is a condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements, known as tics.

Throughout tonight’s show, Davidson, who was diagnosed aged 25 and whose symptoms involve outbursts including swearing, could be heard yelling out from his seat.

At one point, he shouted, ‘shut the f**k up’ during a speech from Bafta chair Sara Putt and yelled ‘f**k you’ when Arco’s directors took to the stage.

As reported by Variety, fellow attendees inside also heard him shout the N-word when Sinners actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented best visual effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash.

It is claimed that Davidson left the venue during the second half of the show, as outbursts could no longer be heard.

He was, of course, invited to the event, having posed with the cast and crew on the red carpet.

Therefore, ‘under no circumstances’ would he have been asked to leave, but it is unclear whether he decided to step out of his own accord.

Addressing the outbursts, Cumming reminded people that he had ‘no control’ over them and said: ‘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.’

The audience had also been made aware before the awards began that some involuntary expletives might be heard.

Introducing Davidson, the floor manager said: ‘I’d like to welcome John Davidson MBE from one of our nominated films, I Swear.

‘John has Tourette’s Syndrome, so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.’

Directed by Kirk Jones, I Swear was nominated for six Baftas.

It won best casting, while lead actor Aramayo won the EE rising star gong, as well as the coveted best actor, defeating major Hollywood stars DiCaprio and Chalamet.

Collecting his rising star trophy, he said: ‘This is really scary; last time I was at Bafta, I dropped the award, so hopefully this will go better.’

He added: ‘I can’t believe this; it really blows my mind.’

Referring to Davidson, who went public with his Tourette’s four decades ago, he said: ‘John Davidson is the most remarkable person I’ve ever met, and he believes there is so much more we need to learn about Tourette’s.

‘In the words of the film, they need support and understanding.’

He continued: ‘This means the world to me, I can’t believe it.’

When accepting his best actor win, he grew emotional, saying it was ‘incredible’ to even be in the category.

Speaking on the red carpet earlier in the night, filmmaker Jones emphasised the need to tell Davidson’s story properly, adding he did not want to ‘water it down’ because I Swear is the type of film people ‘need’ right now.

Speaking about the response to the biopic and its multiple nominations, he said: ‘I just think it hit a note. I just think it hit a chord.

‘Maybe five years ago, if we’d have made it, it wouldn’t have done, or maybe five years’ time, but I think we’re kind of at a place in the world now where everything’s so kind of depressing and upsetting, and it’s a very hopeful film, and it’s about a man who never gives up.

‘It’s the kind of film that we need at the moment to remind us about compassion and support for an understanding of other people.’

Campaigner Davidson also told the Press Association that he is ‘extremely proud of what was created’ and the impact the film has had.

‘The power that the film’s got is the fact that it’s opened people’s eyes to the real issues.

‘Being assaulted, being put out of school, being bullied at school – a lot of people have never seen that side of what my life was like.

‘People at the time didn’t notice because in those days, in the 80s and 90s, people didn’t really want to know.’

He added that, ‘as we’ve developed as a country and as a human race, we’re becoming more empathetic towards neurodiversity and all different kinds of disability, which is something that should be happening but a lot quicker’.

‘We didn’t want it to be a pity memoir, and that you feel sorry for us, because we don’t want people feeling sorry for me,’ he insisted.

‘I don’t. Everyone with Tourette’s don’t – they just want the awareness of people to understand and be kind.’

He went on to praise Aramayo for being ‘absolutely phenomenal’ in his portrayal.