BAFTA winner Robert Aramayo defends director's racial slurs amid tics

Robert Aramayo has defended I Swear director and Tourette's campaigner John Davidson after he yelled racial slurs at the BAFTAs.

John yelled the N-word from the audience during Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo's presentation at the BAFTAs. However, he has Tourettes and was experiencing tics at the time.

Tics are involuntary movements and noises made by people with Tourette’s, according to the NHS.

Aramayo, who won the Best Actor BAFTA for his portrayal of John in I Swear, was asked about the director’s rics at the awards.

"You could hear him shouting and words people find offensive," the reporter said.

Robert replied: "First of all they are tics. He is ticking. We have to understand. The way we perceive Tourette's is a joint responsibility. It's not shouting obscenities."

"It's not being abusive. It's Tourette's. They are tics," explained the Rings of Power star. "If it can lead to a deeper understanding of Tourette's, and movies are part of that conversation, then it's an incredible thing."

John left the awards mid ceremony after the tics and host Alan Cumming then thanked the crowd for being understanding about it.

"You may have heard some strong offensive language tonight, but if you've seen the film I Swear, it's about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome," said Alan.

"It is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary that means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language and we apologise if it has caused offence," he added.