Alan Cumming has issued a public apology following controversy at this year’s BAFTA Film Awards, describing the ceremony as a “trauma-triggering” debacle after an incident involving an involuntary racial slur during the broadcast.

The backlash arose after a Tourette’s campaigner shouted a racial slur while two Black actors were on stage. The remark was audible.

In a post on Instagram, Cumming apologised for the harm caused. “I’m so sorry for all the pain Black people have felt hearing the word echoed around the world,” he wrote. He also expressed regret that the Tourette’s community had been reminded of what he described as widespread misunderstanding and intolerance surrounding the condition.

Cumming added that the situation reflected failures in decision-making, citing the broadcasting of a slur and the censorship of free speech. He said the only positive outcome might be a renewed awareness that “words matter” and that trauma should be recognised and respected.

American actor Robert Carradine, widely recognised for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and the Disney series Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71.

In a statement, his family shared that Carradine had lived with bipolar disorder for nearly two decades and chose to speak openly about his cause of death to help challenge stigma surrounding mental health.

Tributes quickly followed from colleagues and admirers, including his former on-screen daughter Hilary Duff, who reflected on their shared experiences and the impact he had on those around him.

Born on 24 March 1954, Carradine came from a distinguished acting family. He was the son of John Carradine and the younger brother of David Carradine.

Encouraged early on by his brother, Carradine landed his first screen role in The Cowboys, starring alongside John Wayne.

He went on to build a varied and respected career, including an appearance in Mean Streets directed by Martin Scorsese, and later in Django Unchained by Quentin Tarantino.

Across decades in the industry, Carradine remained a familiar presence on both the big and small screen, contributing to projects that resonated with audiences worldwide.

His family expressed hope that sharing his story would inspire understanding and encourage open conversations about mental health, reinforcing the importance of compassion and awareness.

Eric Dane, widely recognised for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at the age of 53, less than a year after publicly sharing his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Dane was celebrated for portraying Dr Mark Sloan — affectionately known to fans as “Dr McSteamy” — on Grey’s Anatomy, as well as family patriarch Cal Jacobs in Euphoria.

The California-born actor revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025 and spent his final months championing awareness and support for those living with the condition, the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND).

In a statement, his family confirmed he passed away on Thursday afternoon following what they described as a courageous battle with the illness.

Dane is survived by his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia. His loved ones shared that he spent his final days surrounded by close friends and family.

“He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always,” the statement read, adding that he remained grateful for the support of fans throughout his career.

Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane began his television journey with an appearance in The Wonder Years in 1993. He went on to portray Jason Dean in Charmed and Captain Tom Chandler in The Last Ship, while also appearing in films including Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day, and Burlesque.

Following news of his passing, tributes from colleagues quickly emerged. Patrick Dempsey, who starred alongside him on Grey’s Anatomy, remembered Dane as “a joy to work with,” praising both his humour and his efforts to raise awareness about ALS.

Fellow cast members also paid tribute. Kim Raver recalled his playful wit and impeccable comedic timing on set, while Kevin McKidd shared a simple message of remembrance online.

In his final months, Dane channelled his platform toward advancing public understanding of ALS, leaving behind not only a legacy of memorable performances but also a meaningful contribution to ongoing advocacy efforts.