John Davidson ‘refuses to apologise for having Tourette’s’ in new statement after BAFTAs racial slur incident

The Tourette’s campaigner was not aware he could be heard on the stage when he had a number of tics at the awards ceremony, including shouting out a racial slur.

Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were both presenting an award at the time and Davidson ended up voluntarily leaving the room afterwards.

A lot of criticism has been directed at the BAFTAs and BBC for the handling of the incident, with the slur left in the edit of the broadcast while other things were censored.

Lindo received a standing ovation at the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday (28 February) when he addressed the controversy. And Davidson has now apologised for any ‘pain, upset and misunderstanding’ that his syndrome may create.

However, the 54-year-old will ‘never apologise for having Tourette syndrome’.

Davidson wrote on Facebook: “I’ve been waiting all week until the dust settles after the weekend at the BAFTAs in London.

“I would like to thank each and every one of you who have shown love, support and solidarity towards myself and the rest of the Tourette’s Community. Your kind words and support have got me through a very difficult week. Whilst I will never apologies for having Tourette syndrome, I will apologise for any pain, upset and misunderstanding that it may create.

“This past week has been tough, and has reminded me that what I do raising awareness for such a misunderstood condition, there is still a long way to go and I will keep on keeping on until this is achieved.”

He concluded by writing: “Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou I love you all.”

Davidson’s Tourette’s causes him to involuntarily shout out words and he has previously spoken about being ‘deeply mortified’ by what happened at the BAFTAs.

The BBC has apologised for including the slur in its broadcast and its Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) has said it will complete a ‘fast-tracked investigation’ into the incident.

The BAFTAs also released a statement and apology as it included: “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.”

During the NNACP awards, Lindo thanked those who had been in touch after the incident and for their support.

“It’s a classic case of something that could have been very negative becoming very positive. Thank you so much for the support,” the star said.

What have celebrities said about the BAFTAs incident?

Robert Aramayo: ‘The way we perceive Tourette’s is a joint responsibility’

Aramayo portrays Davidson in the film I Swear, and picked up both the Best Actor and Rising Star award at the BAFTAs.

He said: “First of all, there are tics. He is ticcing. We have to understand. The way we perceive Tourette’s is a joint responsibility.

“It’s not shouting obscenities. It’s not being abusive. It’s Tourette’s. They are tics. If it can lead to a deeper understanding of Tourette’s, and movies are part of that conversation, then it’s an incredible thing.”

Jamie Foxx: ‘He meant that s**t’

The Django Unchained star left several Instagram comments slamming Davidson.

In one, Foxx wrote: “Nah he meant that s**t.”

In another, he said: “Out of all the words you could’ve said, Tourette’s makes you say that?”

Wendell Pierce: ‘The insult to them takes priority’

The Wire actor took to X, saying: “It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full throatted [sic] apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan.

“The insult to them takes priority. It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur.”