LONDON: Tourette’s sufferer John Davidson, who inspired a BAFTA-winning film, said on Monday he was “deeply mortified” after shouting a racial slur at the London awards ceremony, which he said was caused by an “involuntary tic”.

He was heard shouting the N-word as actors Delroy Lindo and Michael Jordan, who are both black, presented an award for special visual effects at the Sunday night ceremony hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

“I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning,” Davidson, who is the real-life inspiration behind the film I Swear, said in a statement.

British actor Robert Aramayo triumphed over established stars Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio to win the best actor prize for his portrayal of Davidson, whose life in a small Scottish town was irrevocably changed by the condition.

Apologies

The British film awards apologised for the “very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many.

“Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over,” the British Academy of Film and Television Arts said.

“Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted.”

The BBC also apologised for not editing the offending language out of its broadcast, which was shown on a two-hour delay on Sunday evening.

It was edited out of the version on the BBC’s streaming service on Monday morning.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2026