Tourette's campaigner John Davidson shouts racial slur during BAFTAs broadcast; BBC opens fast-tracked probe

At the BAFTA Film Awards on Feb. 22, Scottish Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson, the real-life subject and executive producer of the film I Swear, emitted audible involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony.

“The incident adds to mounting criticism of the BBC’s handling of Israel and Gaza coverage, following its decision last year not to air a commissioned documentary about Gaza medical workers and earlier accusations that it edited out pro-Palestinian displays at the 2023 BAFTAs”

Al Jazeera

Those tics included a racial slur while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the best visual effects award.

Al Jazeera

Host Alan Cumming addressed the auditorium, explained that the language could be a symptom of Tourette’s and apologised 'to anyone offended.'

The slur remained on the BBC’s delayed broadcast and was later removed from BBC iPlayer.

The BBC described the language as arising 'from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome.'

The episode went viral online and quickly became the dominant headline of the night.

I Swear won two BAFTAs that night, including best actor for Robert Aramayo.

The BBC apologised and said it would remove the clip from iPlayer.

BAFTA issued an 'unreserved' apology and opened a comprehensive review of the event.

BBC

Sky News reported the BBC director-general ordered a 'fast-tracked' investigation by the Executive Complaints Unit to respond to complainants.

The BBC said the word was 'missed' and 'aired in error' on the delayed broadcast and said another slur had been edited out previously.

BAFTA said it 'takes full responsibility' and thanked presenters for their 'dignity and professionalism,' while also pledging to learn from the incident.

Reaction across the industry and online was mixed.

“At the BAFTA Film Awards there were mixed reactions after a racial slur uttered by John Davidson was broadcast during the delayed TV showing”

BBC

Some advocates and charities urged understanding and highlighted coprolalia as an involuntary symptom affecting a minority of people with Tourette’s.

Several Black creatives and public figures said the responses felt inadequate and demanded clearer apologies and support for those targeted.

Production designer Hannah Beachler and figures such as Jamie Foxx publicly criticised how the apologies were framed.

Conversely, I Swear actor Robert Aramayo used his acceptance speech to defend Davidson and call for greater education and support for people with Tourette’s.

Several reports criticised editorial choices: the ceremony had been recorded and broadcast on a roughly two-hour delay, a decision meant to allow removal of offensive material, yet the slur aired on BBC One and remained on iPlayer for hours.

Multiple outlets noted that producers had edited other contentious moments (including cutting an apparent 'Free Palestine' line from Akinola Davies Jr.'s acceptance speech) while the Davidson slur remained in the televised edit, prompting questions about inconsistent censorship and editorial oversight.

BBC

The episode reopened debate about how live and tape-delayed events should handle involuntary medical symptoms that also include offensive language.

“It looks like you pasted my earlier reply (saying the text was corrupted) rather than the news article itself”

Blex Media

Davidson has questioned why he was seated so close to a microphone and told outlets he 'uttered around ten offensive words' that night and was 'deeply mortified.'

BollywoodShaadis

Advocates suggested practical steps, such as bleeping or muting in pre-recorded broadcasts, and said the incident highlights a need for public education about Tourette’s.

Critics argued that a medical explanation does not erase harm to those targeted and urged stronger accountability from organisers and broadcasters as the BBC’s fast-tracked probe proceeds.