Tourette’s activist John Davidson issues statement after shouting racial slur during BAFTAs

Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson has broken his silence after involuntarily shouting a racial slur during the BAFTAs ceremony on Sunday night (22 February).

For those who aren't up to date with the news, Davidson had been invited to the ceremony alongside the cast and crew of I Swear - a biographical-drama based on his life.

But when the first award of the evening, Best Special Visual Effects, was presented by Sinners actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, Davidson had a tic and shouted the N-word from the audience.

The shocking moment appeared in the BBC’s broadcast, which reportedly aired with a delay of roughly two hours.

The BBC later apologised for the 'strong and offensive language', with a spokesperson attributing the language outbursts to the attendee having Tourette's syndrome - a condition that causes you to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements (tics).

Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award when the slur was shouted (Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA)

Now, as we say, Davidson has spoken out in the wake of the backlash, in a statement shared with Variety.

According to the publication, he said: "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. 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."

He 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."

Davidson explained 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. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing," the campaigner concluded.

I Swear saw Robert Aramayo star as Davidson, with the movie being based on his real life (Karwai Tang/Getty Images)

It comes after the BBC also issued a statement, which read: “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."

Meanwhile, Alan Cumming, who hosted the awards for the first time this year, thanked the audience for their 'understanding' after the incident.

He said, "You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film I Swear, you will know that the film is about the experience of a person with Tourette Syndrome.

"Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended."

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