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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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An incident at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards in which John Davidson, a Tourette's syndrome campaigner and the real-life inspiration behind the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear experienced multiple tics has sparked a debate online about whether the BBC should have aired his tics.
Tourette's syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary and repetitive movements and sounds called tics. There is no cure. In rare cases, people with Tourette's involuntarily shout out swear words. This is known as coprolalia.
Davidson, who was an invited guest at the ceremony, experienced multiple tics throughout the evening—including shouted expletives and, at one point, the "n-word" during a presentation by Black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. The BBC later apologized for the incident.
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Writing on social media, some people suggested the BBC should have not aired the incident while others said people should be sensitive about Davidson's condition.
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Why It Matters
The incident has highlighted tensions between respecting those with lifelong medical conditions while also not airing offensive racial language. It has sparked an international debate and has caused the BBC to apologize.
What To Know
Davidson attended Sunday's BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London as an invited guest. Before the ceremony began, a floor manager introduced him to the audience and noted that involuntary noises or movements might occur during the show.
Despite the advance warning, several outbursts drew attention throughout the evening. "Shut the f*** up" was shouted during an introductory speech by BAFTA chair Sara Putt, and "f*** you" was heard when the directors of best children's and family film winner Boong accepted their award. During a presentation by Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, Davidson shouted the "n-word" from the audience.
BAFTA host Cumming addressed the outbursts during the ceremony:
"You may have noticed some strong language in the background," he told the crowd. "This can be part of how Tourette's syndrome shows up for some people, as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping to create a respectful space for everyone."
Despite this, some people suggested the BBC had made a mistake in airing Davidson's language which was kept on the broadcaster’s streaming site hours after the event, according to multiple reports.
Jamie Foxx commented on an Instagram post about the incident saying "unacceptable" and "nah he meant that s**t." "Out of all the words, you could've said Tourette's makes you say that?" he wrote.
Leader of Britain's opposition party, the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch told Good Morning Britain that airing the slur was "a huge huge mistake."
"Someone with Tourette's said something they shouldn't have done, we are not going to blame their disability but it should have been bleeped," she said. "That is a huge error, that is the first thing that the apology should've been made for."
"Once in a while these things happen. I don't think Black people in the country are going to be traumatized by this," she continued."
"This is a huge huge mistake but I think it is something that we should view as a mistake rather than a representation of our country."
Comedian and television writer Skyler Higley wrote: "Man idk [I don't know-if this is ableist or whatever but if your Tourette’s makes you say the n-word I think you should just not go to a ceremony."
Narinder Kaur, a British broadcaster and television personality said the incident was "WILDLY unacceptable on so many levels." He said Davidson was "subjecting Jordan and Lindo to racial trauma."
But Kristi Yamaguccimane, a writer with over 149,000 followers said people angry with Davidson "have absolutely no f****ng clue how Tourette's works."
"As if being pissed at him is gonna cure this already socially stigmatized guy’s brain of causing him problems," she wrote.
What People Are Saying
Alan Cumming, BAFTA host: "Tourette's syndrome is a disability and the tics you've heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette's syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight."
Robert Aramayo, EE Rising Star Award winner: "John Davidson is the most remarkable man I ever met. He's so forthcoming with education and he believes there should be still so much more we need to learn about Tourette's."
Emma McNally, CEO of Tourette's Action told Variety: "Viewers have told us that seeing John's real story portrayed with such depth and honesty has given them a far more accurate understanding of what Tourette's can look like and how it affects the individual."
A BBC spokesperson told multiple outlets: "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards 2026.
"This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologize for any offense caused by the language heard."
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