John Davidson 2026: Tourette's Advocate 'Deeply Mortified' After BAFTAs Incident Sparks Debate on Disability and Inclusion
Tourette's campaigner John Davidson has issued an emotional public statement after an involuntary verbal tic during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards caused widespread discussion and debate. The 54-year-old, whose life story inspired the BAFTA-winning film I Swear, left the ceremony early after his tics, which included a racial slur, were picked up by microphones during the live broadcast. While Davidson received support from disability charities and BAFTA, the incident also drew criticism from figures like Jamie Foxx and highlighted the ongoing need for public understanding of Tourette's syndrome.
Key Figure: John Davidson MBE, Tourette's advocate and executive producer of I Swear
Event: 2026 BAFTA Film Awards (February 22, 2026)
Location: Royal Festival Hall, London
Outcome: Davidson left early; BAFTA and BBC issued apologies; Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for portraying Davidson
Who Is John Davidson? The Man Behind the Headlines
John Davidson is not a celebrity seeking fame—he is one of the United Kingdom's most prominent Tourette's syndrome awareness campaigners . His journey into the public eye began in 1989 when he featured in the groundbreaking BBC documentary John's Not Mad, part of the QED series . The program offered an intimate look at a young man living with severe Tourette's in the Scottish Borders, at a time when little was known about the condition.
Since then, Davidson has dedicated his life to education and advocacy. In 2019, he was made an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II for his services to increasing understanding of Tourette's and helping families deal with the condition across the country .
A Lifetime of Involuntary Tics
Davidson's condition is characterized by coprolalia—a symptom affecting some people with Tourette's that causes spontaneous, unwanted utterances of profanities or other inappropriate language . He has likened the experience to "someone else controlling my mind" .
His tics have placed him in difficult situations before:
Buckingham Palace (2019): While receiving his MBE, Davidson involuntarily shouted "F*** the Queen!" in the presence of Elizabeth II. He later recalled that the monarch "never batted an eyelid" .
Bomb Threat: On the same day, during security checks at the palace gates, he yelled "A bomb! I've got a f***ing bomb!" causing a momentary scare .
Despite these challenges, Davidson has consistently used his platform to foster empathy and understanding.
'I Swear': The Film About His Life
The 2025 film I Swear, directed by Kirk Jones, tells Davidson's story . It depicts his younger years in Glasgow, his diagnosis at age 12, and his lifelong advocacy work. The film received widespread critical acclaim and multiple BAFTA nominations .
At the 2026 BAFTAs, I Swear won three awards:
Davidson attended the ceremony as an executive producer of the film, expecting a night of celebration .
What Happened at the 2026 BAFTAs?
The 79th British Academy Film Awards, held on February 22, 2026, at London's Royal Festival Hall, were interrupted multiple times by Davidson's involuntary verbal tics .
The Incidents
Pre-Ceremony Preparations
BAFTA and the BBC were aware of Davidson's condition and took precautions. Before the ceremony began, a stage manager announced to the audience that a guest with Tourette's was present and that attendees might hear "involuntary noises or movements" . The announcement received a round of applause, and Davidson felt "welcomed and understood" .
However, the live microphones picked up the tics, and despite a two-hour broadcast delay, the racial slur was not edited out of the BBC One transmission and remained on iPlayer briefly before being removed .
Host Alan Cumming's Response
Host Alan Cumming addressed the audience twice :
First address: "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. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone."
Second address (later in the show): "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."
Davidson chose to leave the auditorium early, watching the remainder of the ceremony from a screen to avoid causing further distress .
John Davidson's Statement: 'Deeply Mortified'
On Monday, February 23, Davidson released a public statement through the Press Association expressing his distress .
Full Statement Highlights
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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 Industry Responds: BAFTA, BBC, and Robert Aramayo
BAFTA's Full Apology
BAFTA issued a detailed statement taking "full responsibility" for putting guests in a difficult situation .
"At the BAFTA Film Awards last night our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all."
The organization specifically apologized to Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, thanking them for their "incredible dignity and professionalism" .
"We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all. 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."
BBC Apologizes for Broadcast
A BBC spokesperson confirmed the slur should have been edited out .
"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 apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer."
Robert Aramayo's Tribute
While accepting his EE Rising Star Award, actor Robert Aramayo, who portrayed Davidson, paid an emotional tribute .
"John Davidson is the most remarkable man I ever met. He's so forthcoming with education and he believes there should still be so much more we need to learn about Tourette's. I just want to say for people who are living with Tourette's, it's the buzz around them that helped define what their experience is, so to quote the film, 'They need support and understanding.'"
Mixed Public Reaction: Charity Support vs. Celebrity Criticism
The incident sparked intense debate on social media and among public figures.
Charity Support: Tourettes Action and Tourettes Scotland
Tourettes Action released a statement defending Davidson .
"The negative comments that have surfaced following John's involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony... We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt, but at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person's beliefs, intentions, or character."
"People with Tourette's can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse, and feel great distress about afterwards. These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John – like many others with Tourette's – lives with every single day."
Tourette Scotland added that the incident showed "more education is needed" and emphasized that the Tourette's community is "kind and very empathetic, and would never like to upset anyone with their tics" .
Criticism from Jamie Foxx
Actor Jamie Foxx weighed in on social media with a critical view .
"Out of all the words you could've said Tourette's makes you say that. Nah he meant that s***. Unacceptable."
Foxx's comments were widely circulated and added fuel to the online debate.
Victim Speaks Out: Hannah Beachler
One of the individuals directly affected by the incident, Hannah Beachler—a production designer for the film Sinners—shared her feelings on social media .
"I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can't find the words. The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show. And a third time at a Black woman."
Beachler expressed disappointment with what she called a "throw-away apology" from the stage.
"Of course we were offended…but our frequency, our spiritual vibration is tuned to a higher level than what happened. I am not steel, this did not bounce off of me, but I exist above it. It can't take away from who I am as an artist."
Her comments highlighted the complex intersection of disability inclusion and the very real pain that offensive language—even when involuntary—can cause.
Understanding Tourette's Syndrome and Coprolalia
What Is Tourette's?
According to the NHS, Tourette's syndrome is a neurological condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements known as tics . It usually starts during childhood and continues into adulthood. There is no cure, but treatment can help manage symptoms.
Coprolalia: The Involuntary Utterance of Offensive Words
A small percentage of people with Tourette's experience coprolalia—the involuntary utterance of swear words or inappropriate remarks . Crucially:
The words are unintentional and do not reflect the person's thoughts or beliefs.
The person often feels profound distress after such tics.
Davidson has previously explained: "The more you worry, the more likely it is that you should be worried. It's never a case of, 'Will I embarrass myself?' – it's a case of when, and how badly" .
Key Takeaways: The Debate Continues
The John Davidson BAFTAs incident of 2026 has opened up several important conversations:
1. Inclusion vs. Offense
BAFTA's pre-announcement and attempts to create an inclusive space were well-intentioned, but they could not prevent the distress caused by the actual tics. The question remains: How can events balance inclusion with the need to protect attendees from genuinely harmful language?
2. Public Understanding of Disability
Charities stressed that the backlash shows how much work remains to be done in educating the public about neurological conditions .
3. The Responsibility of Broadcasters
The BBC's failure to edit the slur from the delayed broadcast added to the controversy, raising questions about editorial responsibility.
4. The Human Impact
As Hannah Beachler's statement makes clear, even when words are involuntary, they can still wound. Holding space for both the rights of disabled individuals and the feelings of those affected by their tics is a delicate balance.
John Davidson's Legacy: Continuing the Fight
Despite the controversy, John Davidson remains committed to his life's work. His statement concluded with a reaffirmation of his mission: to teach "empathy, kindness and understanding" .
The film I Swear continues to reach audiences, and Davidson's decades of advocacy have undoubtedly improved life for countless individuals with Tourette's. As Robert Aramayo said, Davidson is "the most remarkable man I ever met" .
The 2026 BAFTAs may have been a difficult night, but it has also sparked a global conversation about disability, inclusion, and the meaning of empathy—a conversation John Davidson has been trying to start for nearly 40 years.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from February 22-23, 2026, and aims to present a balanced view of a complex situation involving disability, public events, and unintended offense.
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