Tourette's campaigner: 'I am... deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning'
Last updated 10 hours ago
Tourette's campaigner John Davidson says he's "deeply mortified" after shouting a racial slur during the BAFTA film awards.
The Galashiels caretaker's released a statement after the BBC apologised for broadcasting the comment.
It happened as Sinners actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan presented the first prize of Sunday night's ceremony.
John says his involuntary tics don’t carry any meaning.
The 54-year-old said he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was "aware of the distress my tics were causing".
In a statement, he added: "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, the awards ceremony's presenter Alan Cumming apologised for the language viewers may have heard.
Referencing this, John 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."
In a statement released on Monday night, Bafta apologised for the incident, and said it takes "full responsibility" for putting its guests in a "difficult situation".
A spokesperson from Bafta said: "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."
According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements which, in rare instances, can result in offensive language being used, that cannot be controlled.
It says there is no cure but treatment can help to manage the tics.
John was made an MBE in 2019 for his efforts to increase understanding of Tourette syndrome and help families deal with the condition.
The film, I Swear, tells the story of the Scottish campaigner's life with the condition, which he developed when he was 12.
It stars Robert Aramayo who won best actor for his performance in the film, which also won best casting. He was also named EE Rising Star.
Scottish actor Thierry Mabonga appears in the film as Mr Davidson's lawyer, and posted on TikTok on Monday to comment on the incident.
In his video, he said: "This is the condition, the disease of Tourette's syndrome. John cannot control what he says. In fact, that's the whole point of why we're making this film.
"We've made this film to educate people about Tourette's syndrome - how can you say that he can't be there at the awards? This is a film about his life. This is a film about him. Absolutely he has to be there, and it's great that he was there."
He shared an additional video where he said "someone who has Tourette's should not apologise for having it", and he referenced when Mr Davidson met Queen Elizabeth II, and said: "If the Queen understood that, I don't know why people don't understand."
WATCH: Bomb disposal team called out after hand grenade found on beach
The BBC apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the broadcast, but say it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer."
Charity Tourettes Action said it "deeply understands" the harm of the racial slur, but called for understanding of the condition.
A spokesperson for the charity said: "We also want to address the negative comments that have surfaced following John's involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony.
"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."
It went on to say that it had found the "backlash" to the incident "deeply saddening" and added that Mr Davidson had made a decision to leave the ceremony early.
Tourette Scotland, which has worked with John, added that there was "no meaning" behind his outburst and that the Tourette's community is "kind and very empathetic, and would never like to upset anyone with their tics".
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/