Tourette Syndrome advocate John Davidson has issued a public apology after shouting a racial slur and several offences during the 2026 British Academy Film Awards. The incident has also drawn formal responses from BAFTA and the BBC.
Davidson, 54, attended the ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall to represent the biographical film I Swear, which is based on his life and experiences with Tourette’s. During the live event, he shouted the n-word while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the award for Best Visual Effects. He also slurred offences like "shut the f*** up" and "f*** you" at the ceremony.
In a statement shared with Variety the following day, Davidson thanked British Academy Film Awards organisers for their support and for informing the audience in advance that his verbal and physical tics are involuntary and not reflective of his beliefs.
“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. 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," Davidson said in his statement.
He continued, "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. 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."
Davidson added that he has spent his life advocating for the Tourette’s community and promoting empathy and understanding. He said he chose to leave the auditorium early after recognising the distress his tics were causing.
Davidson's statement came after the BBC apologised for not editing the slur out of the delayed broadcast on BBC One and briefly remained available on BBC iPlayer. The broadcaster said the language stemmed from involuntary verbal tics and confirmed the segment would be removed from catch-up services.
"Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards,” the BBC told People in a statement. “This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony, it was not intentional. We [apologise] that this was not edited out prior to broadcast, and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer."
BAFTA also released a statement taking full responsibility for the situation and apologising unreservedly to Jordan and Lindo, praising their professionalism on stage despite being called the n-word.“We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism,” the statement read, in part.
The NAACP issued its own statement, expressing support for Jordan and Lindo and saying Black performers should not have to endure racial slurs in professional spaces, regardless of context.
Jordan and Lindo were presenting during a successful night for their film Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, which won three awards, including Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, and Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku.
Before the show, a stage manager at the BAFTA Awards had introduced Davidson to the audience and alerted guests that they may hear some “involuntary noises or movements” during the ceremony, according to Variety.
Host Alan Cumming also addressed the incident during the ceremony, explaining that Tourette’s Syndrome can involve involuntary language and thanking the audience for maintaining a respectful space. Later, he reiterated that the condition is a disability and that those with Tourette’s have no control over their tics.