John Davidson Feels ‘Deeply Mortified’ for ‘Involuntary’ Tics at BAFTAs

John Davidson, a well-known advocate for Tourette’s Syndrome and the inspiration behind the movie I Swear, has apologized for the involuntary tics he experienced during Sunday’s BAFTA Awards ceremony. In a statement to THR, he explained he’s always been embarrassed if anyone misinterprets his tics as intentional or meaningful. He thanked BAFTA and the awards team for their support and for announcing beforehand that his tics are involuntary and don’t reflect his beliefs. He was grateful for the supportive applause that followed the announcement, making him feel welcome. During the show, while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting, Davidson shouted a racial slur. The two presenters paused briefly before continuing. Despite the show being pre-recorded with a two-hour delay, BAFTA chose not to edit out this moment, but they did remove a portion of Akinola Davies Jr.’s speech where he said, “Free Palestine.”

After the incident, Davidson decided to leave the show. In a statement, he explained that he’s dedicated his life to supporting people with Tourette’s and promoting empathy, and he plans to continue doing so. He left the event early because he realized his involuntary movements were causing discomfort to others.

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2026-02-24 04:53