John Davidson Breaks Silence on Tourette’s and BAFTA N-Word Incident

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Following the BAFTA Awards, John Davidson, an activist who lives with Tourette’s syndrome, has spoken publicly for the first time about the involuntary vocal tics he experienced during the ceremony. His life story inspired the film I Swear, which was nominated for an award. After the incident – which involved involuntary outbursts, including offensive language – sparked media attention during a presentation by Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, Davidson reached out to explain the neurological reality of living with Tourette’s and address misunderstandings.

As a film buff, I was really struck by Davidson’s explanation of his Tourette’s. He clarified that he experiences coprolalia, meaning he involuntarily blurts out offensive words. He was keen to stress that these outbursts aren’t him – they’re a neurological glitch, a misfire in his brain, and have absolutely nothing to do with what he thinks or feels. It’s actually quite fascinating – and heartbreaking – because he described how the condition seems to actively seek out the most shocking thing to say, the exact opposite of his own values. This understandably causes him a huge amount of guilt and shame when it happens in public.

During the event, Davidson’s Tourette’s tics worsened due to the stressful atmosphere, and he involuntarily repeated things he heard – a symptom called echolalia. While one particularly offensive word received the most attention, he actually used about ten different offensive terms throughout the evening. He felt deeply ashamed and embarrassed when he realized people could hear him, and he eventually moved to a private room to finish watching the event.

The activist questioned the event’s sound setup, pointing out a microphone was placed right in front of him. Having worked with the BBC before, he expected them to manage the audio and prevent his involuntary movements (tics) from being broadcast.

He has since apologized directly to Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, and Hannah Beachler, the team behind the film Sinners, for the disturbance during the BAFTAs. Although the incident caused some controversy, it has brought renewed attention to the biographical film I Swear, which has become an important part of the cultural conversation.

The film features Jack O’Connell as a younger version of Davidson and portrays the challenges of living with the condition. O’Connell, nominated for a BAFTA for his performance, worked with Davidson for months to ensure the physical tics were shown accurately and respectfully, avoiding any comedic portrayal.

In addition to his filmmaking, Davidson is a strong advocate for people with Tourette’s syndrome, working to fight the shame and misunderstanding that can lead to loneliness. He’s a leading activist in Scotland, often giving talks about the difference between deliberate actions and involuntary tics. Tourette’s affects roughly 1% of children globally, and while many people associate it with involuntary swearing (coprolalia), this symptom actually only occurs in 10-30% of those diagnosed.

The movie I Swear will soon be available on streaming platforms after gaining recognition during awards season. Davidson hopes the film will educate people and help prevent others from experiencing the discrimination and isolation he’s faced for almost four decades. Even while recovering from a recent heart surgery, he’s committed to advocating for acceptance, not judgment, for individuals with neurological conditions.

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2026-02-25 20:15