Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson has issued a statement to say he is “deeply mortified” if anyone thought his involuntary tic at the Bafta Film Awards was “intentional”.
Sinners stars Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordon were onstage on Sunday, at London’s Royal Festival Hall, to present the prize for visual effects when Mr Davidson involuntarily shouted the n-word.
At other points during the ceremony, Mr Davidson could be heard shouting words such as “boring” and “f***”, with many of these interruptions audible on television.
It had been explained by host Alan Cumming at the live event, which took place hours before the broadcast, that such disturbances might occur due to Mr Davidson’s involuntary tics.
Mr Davidson is the inspiration behind the Bafta-winning drama I Swear, starring Robert Aramayo and Maxine Peake. Aramayo would go on to win the Best Actor prize for his role in the film.
Later in the ceremony, Cumming briefly paused proceedings to apologise and thank the audience for their understanding.
The host acknowledged that the audience “may have noticed” some “strong language” and thanked the crowd for their understanding and for creating a “respectful space for everyone”.
In a subsequent public apology, BAFTA said they took “full responsibility” for putting its “guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all”.
The organisation also said it wanted to “apologise unreservedly” to Jordan and Lindo, saying: “We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”
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In his own statement to Variety, 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. 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.”
He continued: “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.”
Tourette’s is a neurological condition characterised by motor and vocal “tics”, such as coughs, twitches, and fully articulated phrases.
A small number of people with Tourette’s also experience something called coprolalia, which involves involuntary cursing or making socially inappropriate remarks.
The words are not chosen for meaning in the moment. The person who says it usually experiences the outbursts as unwanted and distressing. Researchers class it as a complex vocal tic not as intentional speech. It is not a conscious decision. You can read more about it here.
