BAFTAs host Alan Cumming criticises BBC after ‘trauma-triggering show’
Alan Cumming responds to BAFTA incident. (Joe Maher/Getty)
BAFTAs host Alan Cumming has released a statement about the BAFTAs racial slur controversy, describing it as a “trauma-triggering s*** show”.
The 61-year-old bisexual Scottish actor went on to say everyone was “let down” by the BBC broadcasting the slurs.
Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award when Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson, who was there to celebrate the film I Swear, shouted out a racial slur due to his tics.
During the ceremony, Cumming apologised for the offence caused.
Additionally, some of Davidson’s tics were removed from the TV broadcast; however, the racial slurs were not. This is despite the show being pre-recorded two hours before broadcast.
Also, the broadcaster cut Akinola Davies Jr’s “Free Palestine” statement from his speech.
On Tuesday (3 March), Cumming posted to Instagram: “It’s now a week since I hosted the BAFTAs. What should have been an evening celebrating creativity as well as diversity and inclusion turned into a trauma-triggering s*** show.
“I’m so sorry for all the pain Black people have felt hearing that word echoed round the world. I’m so sorry the Tourettes community has been reminded of the lack of understanding and tolerance that abounds regarding their condition.
“We were all let down by decisions made to both broadcast slurs and censor free speech.”
After the ceremony, in an interview with Variety, Davidson, who has Tourette’s syndrome with coprolalia, said he felt “shame and embarrassment” over the incident. He also added that he was disappointed in the broadcast team, as editing wasn’t effectively handled.
‘We were all let down by decisions made.’
Cumming’s criticism comes after Sinners studio Warner Bros said BAFTA assured them the racial slur would be removed from the telecast. Similarly, I Swear production company StudioCanal, echoed a similar message, that BAFTA noted swearing would be cut.
Obviously, that did not happen. The incident made global headlines and sparked a dialogue around disability inclusivity.
Since, BAFTA have noted they’re undertaking a “comprehensive review” of the event and apologised “unreservedly” to Lindo and Jordan.
Meanwhile, a BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC has been reviewing what happened at BAFTA. This was a serious mistake and the Director General has instructed the Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) to complete a fast-tracked investigation and provide a full response to complainants.”
Cumming said in his post that “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 concluded: “Congratulations to all the artists whose work was overshadowed by the night’s events.”
