Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson has issued a statement saying he is “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning” after a racial slur was heard during the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday night. The 54 year old could be heard shouting while Sinners actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan were presenting the award for special visual effects.
Davidson, who was at the ceremony to celebrate the BAFTA nominated film I Swear, which is based on his life experience with Tourette syndrome, chose to leave the auditorium early when he realised the distress his tics were causing. He has spent his entire life campaigning for understanding of the condition, and the irony of the situation, that the very platform meant to celebrate a film about Tourette’s became a demonstration of the challenges it presents, was not lost on anyone.
“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,” Davidson said. “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.”
BAFTA host Alan Cumming apologised during the broadcast for language viewers may have heard. BAFTA itself issued a statement acknowledging “the harm this has caused” while explaining that Tourette syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics that the individual has no control over.
According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes sudden, repetitive sounds or movements. In rare cases, this can include offensive language. There is no cure, though treatments exist to help manage the tics. Davidson has devoted his life to educating people about exactly this, and his presence at the ceremony was meant to do just that. The incident, however uncomfortable, ultimately served the same purpose: showing the world what living with Tourette’s actually looks like, unfiltered and uncontrollable.