John Davidson Apologizes for Shouting Racial Slur at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo During BAFTAs Ceremony in London While Explaining Tourette’s Condition

John Davidson, the Scottish campaigner known for raising awareness of Tourette’s, has spoken candidly about the “wave of shame” he felt after an extraordinary outburst at the BAFTAs.

During Sunday’s ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Davidson shouted a racial slur at actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, as well as calling host Alan Cumming a “paedophile.”

The 54-year-old, whose life story inspired the film I Swear, admitted he was mortified by the incident and left the auditorium midway through the ceremony.

The comments have sparked widespread attention, including condemnation from Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, who called the slur “unacceptable.”

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How Tourette’s Played a Role in the Incident

Davidson suffers from a severe form of Tourette Syndrome, which causes involuntary verbal tics known as coprolalia.

These tics can result in socially inappropriate words and phrases, sometimes unexpectedly.

He previously made headlines when he shouted profanity at Queen Elizabeth II during an MBE ceremony in 2019.

Speaking to Variety, Davidson described the tics as “bursting out like a gunshot” and said the episode left him with unbearable guilt.

“The guilt and shame on the part of the person with the condition is often unbearable and causes enormous distress,” he said, recalling the difficulty of controlling involuntary outbursts in public.

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The Context of the BAFTA Outburst

Davidson explained that one of his tics was triggered when Alan Cumming joked about Paddington Bear.

The comedian’s playful reference to a “hairy Peruvian bear” inadvertently set off a homophobic tic in Davidson, leading to the offensive remark.

He reportedly shouted ten different offensive words during the ceremony, not only the racial slur.

While neither Michael B. Jordan nor Delroy Lindo reacted on stage, Davidson quickly apologized and has reached out to the Sinners production team, including Jordan, Lindo, and designer Hannah Beachler, to express regret for the words aimed at them.

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BAFTA and BBC Respond to the Incident

BAFTA issued an “unreserved apology” for the language and the distress it caused.

They stressed that Davidson’s tics were involuntary and that they had taken steps to inform the audience ahead of the broadcast.

The BBC, however, aired the pre-recorded slur to millions, sparking criticism that it failed to manage the sound appropriately, while reportedly censoring other politically charged content like filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr.’s “Free Palestine” remark.

In a statement, BAFTA praised Davidson’s lifelong efforts to educate the public about Tourette’s and emphasized their commitment to inclusion.

“We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all,” the organization said.

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Davidson’s Life and Advocacy

Beyond this incident, Davidson has had a life marked by challenges related to Tourette’s.

From being physically attacked over involuntary tics to accidentally causing dangerous situations in public, he has faced extreme reactions to his condition

. He has devoted his life to raising awareness, educating audiences, and promoting empathy for people living with Tourette’s.

“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.

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What’s Next?

Davidson plans to continue his advocacy work, using the BAFTA incident as an opportunity to educate the public about Tourette’s.

BAFTA and the BBC are reviewing their broadcast and sound protocols to ensure that pre-recorded content is responsibly handled, particularly when it involves individuals with medical conditions that affect behavior.

Both Jordan and Lindo have not publicly detailed further action, though the BAFTA statement highlighted their professionalism and dignity during the incident.

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Summary

• John Davidson, a Scottish Tourette’s campaigner, shouted a racial slur and offensive remarks during the BAFTAs.

• Davidson left the ceremony halfway and issued apologies to the affected actors and production team.

• He suffers from coprolalia, a Tourette’s symptom causing involuntary socially inappropriate speech.

• BAFTA issued an unreserved apology and emphasized efforts to educate the audience about Davidson’s condition.

• The BBC aired the pre-recorded slur, leading to criticism, while censoring other political content.

• Davidson will continue advocacy and educational work on Tourette’s, and BAFTA/BBC are reviewing procedures to avoid similar incidents.