John Davidson, a longtime Tourette syndrome activist and inspiration behind the 2025 film I Swear, has issued a statement following this weekend’s N-word outburst at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs).
“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 said Monday (Feb. 23), per a report from Deadline. “I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome.”
Davidson continued: “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.”
Read Davidson’s full statement here.
As previously reported, Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on the stage this weekend when Davidson, who had made several outbursts during the ceremony, could be heard shouting the N-word.
Reps for BBC and BAFTA also previously addressed the incident.
In a statement to Complex, a BBC spokesperson confirmed that the moment would be removed from the video-on-demand version of the ceremony.
“Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards,” a BBC spokesperson told Complex on Monday. “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, a BAFTA rep offered a direct apology to Jordan and Lindo, as well as said it was taking “full responsibility” for the incident.
“At the BAFTA Film Awards last night our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many,” a BAFTA rep told Complex. “We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologize to all. One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette Syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over. Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the BAFTA nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.”
The statement continued: “We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony. Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologize unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”
Per the rep, as reported elsewhere (and mentioned in Davidson’s own statement), Davidson opted to leave the ceremony after the incident.
“We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologize to all,” the BAFTA rep added. “We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.”