BAFTA Scotland Sets Separate Room for John Davidson After February Incident
John Davidson MBE will watch the BAFTA Scotland ceremony from a separate relaxed space inside the venue, joining by video link with family and friends.
The ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 15 in Glasgow. His film, I Swear, has seven nominations, described as the most in the awards' history, according to Variety.
Davidson is a Tourette syndrome activist. Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes involuntary sounds and movements. He is the inspiration for I Swear, which is set in 1980s Scotland and follows a young man with severe Tourette syndrome.
Robert Aramayo starred in the film as Davidson. He won the Leading Actor BAFTA for the role at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, according to Variety.
The separate-room plan follows February's ceremony in London. On Feb. 22, Davidson involuntarily shouted the N-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage to present the first award. Alan Cumming hosted that ceremony.
The BBC, which broadcast the show, apologised for not editing the slur out of its coverage, according to the BBC. BAFTA later published a press release titled "A statement from BAFTA" concerning its guest John Davidson MBE, according to BAFTA.
Cumming later criticised BAFTA's handling of the incident. He said he will not host the ceremony again, according to The Guardian.
For Scotland, BAFTA said it consulted Davidson as well as the charities Tourettes Action and Tourette Scotland. BAFTA chair Sara Putt and chief executive Jane Millichip set out the arrangements in a letter to members.
He will not sit in the main auditorium. The separate space keeps him inside the event with his own guests while the live audience watches the main stage.
BAFTA also commissioned an independent review of the February incident. The review found structural weaknesses in planning, escalation procedures and crisis coordination, but no evidence of malicious intent or institutional racism, according to Variety.
What makes this stand out is the balance BAFTA is trying to strike. Davidson remains central to the night as the man whose life shaped its most nominated film. Peter Mullan is also nominated for the BAFTA Scotland Audience Award for I Swear, according to BAFTA.
