Incident at the BAFTA Awards
On February 22, 2026, John Davidson, a prominent advocate for Tourette’s syndrome, shouted a racial slur during the BAFTA Awards. This incident occurred while he was in attendance for the film ‘I Swear’, which is based on his life and experiences with the condition.
Davidson, who has been diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome since childhood, expressed deep mortification over the incident. He stated, “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.” He emphasized that his tics, including involuntary swearing, are a symptom of Coprolalia, which is associated with Tourette’s syndrome.
The BBC has since issued a formal apology for not editing out the racial slur during the live broadcast. Davidson’s experience highlights the challenges faced by individuals with Tourette’s, as he noted, “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.”
The film ‘I Swear’ has won two BAFTAs and explores Davidson’s life, including moments of bullying and societal prejudice due to his condition. Alan Cumming, who was present at the event, remarked, “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people, as the film explores that experience.”
Davidson’s advocacy work has been recognized, as he received an MBE in 2019 for his efforts in increasing understanding of Tourette’s syndrome. His story includes a difficult past, having attempted suicide at age 13 due to despair from his condition.
Despite the challenges, Davidson remains committed to raising awareness. He reflected on the importance of acceptance, saying, “If the Queen of England can accept my Tourette’s, and be in my company, why the f**k should we have to do all this awareness-raising?”
John Davidson’s life has been the subject of multiple documentaries prior to ‘I Swear’, further illustrating his journey and the impact of Tourette’s syndrome on his life. Observers continue to discuss the implications of the incident at the BAFTAs, and details remain unconfirmed regarding any further actions that may be taken in response.