Tourette's campaigner John Davidson 'deeply mortified' after Bafta racial slur

The 54-year-old could be heard shouting as Sinners actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan presented an award at the ceremony on Sunday. Bafta has now apologised “unreservedly” to the actors.

Mr Davidson, from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, was the inspiration for the film I Swear, which mirrors his experiences of living with the condition, which he was diagnosed with aged 12.

In a statement, Mr Davidson said he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was “aware of the distress my tics were causing”.

Mr Davidson said: “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.”

During the broadcast, host Alan Cumming apologised for the language viewers may have heard.

Referencing this, Davidson said: “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.”

Later, the BBC apologised for not editing out the section of the ceremony, which was broadcast on a two-hour delay.

The whole broadcast was then removed from iPlayer on Monday morning.

Bafta, in a statment, said: “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.

“Tourette syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics that the individual has no control over. Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the Bafta-nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.

“We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began and throughout that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.

“Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”

“During the ceremony, John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others on what should have been a night of celebration for him.

“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.”

A spokesperson for Tourettes Action said it “deeply understood” the harm of the racial slur but said the “backlash” was “deeply saddening”.

A spokesperson added: “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.”

Robert Aramayo won best actor for his performance in I Swear, which also won best casting. He was also named EE Rising Star.

Aramayo beat Holyrood royalty, including Leonardo DiCaprio (for One Battle After Another), Timothee Chalamet (for Marty Supreme) to take the best actor honour.

Actors Wendell Pierce said on social media that it was “infuriating” that the first reaction “wasn’t complete and full throatted apologies” to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan.

He added: “The insult to them takes priority. It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur. “