John Davidson, the Tourette’s activist and inspiration behind the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, has broken his silence after on-air outbursts during the film awards ceremony led to widespread controversy and backlash.
John Davidson says he’s ‘deeply mortified’ if anyone believes his ‘involuntary tics to be intentional’
Davidson, who has lived with Tourette’s syndrome since age 12, experienced multiple involuntary vocal tics throughout the first half of the awards show at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Most notably, during the presentation of the best visual effects award by Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, Davidson was heard shouting a racial slur. It was an incident that was broadcast uncensored on both BBC One in the U.K. and E! in the United States.
In a statement, John Davidson addressed the incident directly while expressing gratitude to the awards body for including him. “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,” Davidson said. “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.”
Before the ceremony began, a floor manager had introduced Davidson to the audience. They explained that they might hear “some involuntary noises or movements” due to his condition. The evening also saw Davidson shout “shut the f**k up” during BAFTA chair Sara Putt’s opening remarks. Host Alan Cumming twice interrupted the broadcast. First to thank attendees, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, for their understanding. Then, later, to apologize, “if you are offended tonight.”
“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,” Davidson continued (via Variety).
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by sudden, involuntary, and repetitive movements or vocalizations called tics.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on ComingSoon.net.
