John Davidson It made headlines after the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, after multiple reports spread online of someone shouting racial slurs. Davidson, 54, is a campaigner for Tourette Syndrome: a nervous system disorder that causes involuntary, repetitive movements and/or tics.
A BBC spokesman confirmed that one of the guests at the awards ceremony from Tourette’s was the one who made the remarks. In a statement obtained by NBC News, the actor said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from verbal tics associated with Tourette’s Syndrome and was not intentional. We apologize for any offense caused by the language.”
Find out about Davidson, his career as an activist, Tourette’s Syndrome, and what happened at the 2026 BAFTA Awards below.
The BBC and BAFTA have apologized after John Davidson, a Scottish campaigner for people with Tourette’s syndrome, shouted a racial slur during the ceremony. Robert Aramayo won Best Actor at the awards ceremony for his role as Davidson in the indie drama “I Swear.” pic.twitter.com/Imf1ETLSqG
– Associated Press (AP) February 23, 2026
John Davidson is an activist
As previously mentioned, Davidson is an activist and advocate for Tourette Syndrome. The Scotsman has been a nationally recognized ambassador for decades, and was featured in a 1989 BBC TV documentary titled John is not crazy It was produced about his own life and experience with Tourette’s Syndrome.
Because Tourette’s syndrome varies for each person with the condition, Davidson’s syndrome includes tics, spasms, echolalia, and sudden body movements as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder (also known as OCD).
Despite the difficulties that come with the condition, Davidson has persevered to help others living with Tourette Syndrome. He visited schools, hosted public education workshops, and organized the annual teen camp in Galashiels.
I swear Inspired by John Davidson
2025 movie I swear It is a biopic about Davidson, played by the actor Robert AramayoWho won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and a BAFTA Rising Star Award for his performance.
While accepting the Rising Star Award, Aramayo made sure to praise Davidson in his speech, calling the activist “the most remarkable man I’ve ever met.”
“He is very cooperative in terms of education, and believes there is still a lot we need to learn about Tourette’s,” the actor said. “In particular, I just want to say to people living with Tourette’s syndrome, it’s the noise around them that has helped define their experience, so, to quote the film, ‘they need support and understanding.’
The film follows Davidson after the 1989 documentary John is not crazy This report was issued at a time when Tourette syndrome was not widely recognized.
Aramayo is known for his performances in game of thrones And recently, The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power.
John Davidson reportedly pulled off several outbursts at the 2026 BAFTA Awards
As previously reported, Davidson had several outbursts during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards. Multiple media outlets reported that he shouted racial slurs, including the “N” word, when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo Presented an award for Best Visual Effects.
At one point during the ceremony, host Alan Cumming spoke about the disorder by saying: “Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person with Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you felt offended tonight.”
