Tourette’s activist John Davidson, who inadvertently shouted the N-word during the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday night, has released a statement after widespread backlash.
Davidson, who first began experiencing tics at the age of 12, made a number of outbursts during the first half of the ceremony, including shouting “shut the fuck up” during BAFTA chair Sara Putt’s opening remarks. When Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo took to the stage to present the best visual effects award to “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” he was also heard shouting the N-word.
“I wanted to thank BAFTA and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast,” Davidson said in a statement. “I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs. I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.”
Host Alan Cumming twice interrupted the BAFTA FIlm Awards proceedings to address Davidson’s outbursts, once to thank the audience — which include William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales — for their understanding and the second time to apologize “if you are offended tonight.”
Davidson added: “In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and BAFTA, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.”
He concluded the statement by saying that “I Swear,” “more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome.”
“I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so,” Davidson said. “I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.”
In “I Swear,” “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” star Robert Aramayo plays Davidson as he is diagnosed with the syndrome. Aramayo beat out Hollywood stars including Leonardo DiCaprio and Ethan Hawke to take home the leading man statue for his performance. The film, which was nominated in five categories, also won an award for casting.
“Sinners” production designer, Hannah Beachler, who was also nominated for a BAFTA, later posted on X that “it happened 3 times that night and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show.”
She added: “I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of ‘if you were offended’ at the end of the show.”
Before the ceremony began a floor manager introduced Davidson to the audience and warned them they may hear “some involuntary noises or movements.”
Despite the show being aired with a two hour time delay on BBC One in the U.K., the N-word was not censored or edited from the broadcast. The uncensored broadcast also remained available on the BBC’s streaming platform iPlayer until midday on Monday, when the broadcaster pulled it. It was also audible on the U.S. broadcast which went out on E!.
The BBC said in a statement: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologize that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”
Tourettes Action, a charity that Davidson works with, also released a statement on Monday. CEO Emma McNally said in part: “We are incredibly proud of John and everyone involved in ‘I Swear’ following last night’s BAFTA Awards. The film has already raised so much awareness about Tourette syndrome and the daily reality faced by those living with the condition. The impact it has had on audiences, families, and those within the Tourette’s community is huge, and we could not be more grateful for the support the film continues to receive. However, we also want to address the negative comments that have surfaced following John’s involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony. We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions, or character.”
She added, “The backlash from certain parts of the media has been extremely saddening, particularly given how hard John works to raise awareness and understanding. What should have been a night of celebration for him became overwhelming, and he made the difficult decision to leave the ceremony. This moment reflects exactly what ‘I Swear’ shows so openly: the isolation, misunderstanding, and emotional weight that so often accompany this condition. People with Tourette’s manage their physical and social environments and symptoms on a constant basis. The price of being misunderstood is increased isolation, risk of anxiety and depression and death by suicide. We hope that those commenting will take the time to watch the film, learn about Tourette’s, and understand the experiences behind moments like these. Education is key, and compassion makes a world of difference.”