Tourette's Advocate John Davidson, Who Yelled N-Word as Michael B. Jordan Presented at BAFTAs, Breaks Silence After Incident
Tourette's Advocate John Davidson, Who Yelled N-Word as Michael B. Jordan Presented at BAFTAs, Breaks Silence After Incident
Tommy McArdle, Bailey RichardsMon, February 23, 2026 at 8:11 PM UTC
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John Davidson; Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presenting at the 2026 BAFTAs
Aurore Marechal/BAFTA/Getty; Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty
John Davidson has broken his silence after shouting the n-word as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented at the 2026 BAFTA Awards
The Tourette Syndrome activist said that he is "deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning"
The BBC previously apologized for airing the incident, and BAFTA separately released a statement in which it "apologizes unreservedly" to Jordan and Lindo
Tourette Syndrome advocate John Davidson has spoken out after yelling a racial slur while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards.
Davidson — who first began experiencing symptoms of the motor disorder, which causes involuntary verbal and physical tics, as a child — shouted the n-word as the Sinners actors presented the award for Best Visual Effects at the Sunday, Feb. 22 show. He addressed the incident in a Monday, Feb. 23 statement he shared with Variety.
“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," Davidson said in his statement. (A stage manager at the BAFTA Awards had introduced Davidson to the audience before the show and alerted guests that they may hear some “involuntary noises or movements” during the ceremony, according to Variety.)
"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," Davidson said in his statement. "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, 54, attended the BAFTA Awards in London to represent the film I Swear, which is based on his life and experiences with Tourette's. In his statement, Davidson said that the movie, “more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome.”
John Davidson at the 2026 BAFTA Awards
Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty
“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,” Davidson said. “I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.”
Davidson’s statement comes after the BBC apologized for not editing n-word incident out of the broadcast. Lindo, 73, Vanity Fair at an after-party that he and Jordan, 39, “did what we had to do” while onstage during the incident, but said he wished “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards.” Reps for Jordan and Lindo didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.
In addition to yelling the n-word, Davidson could also be heard yelling, “Shut the f--- up,” and “f--- you” during various points in the ceremony.
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BAFTA said that it takes "full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation" in a statement on Feb. 23 and that it "apologizes unreservedly" to Lindo and Jordan. “We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism,” the statement read, in part.
The BBC issued an apology after the moment Davidson yelled the racial slur was not edited out of the BBC One broadcast that aired with a two-hour delay, and remained on catch-up service BBC iPlayer for part of the morning of Monday, Feb. 23.
"Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards,” the BBC told PEOPLE in a statement. “This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony, it was not intentional. We [apologize] that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer."
Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo present at the 2026 BAFTAs
Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty
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BAFTA Awards host Alan Cumming also addressed the incident while speaking with the show's audience.
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background,” said Cumming, 61, said. “This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people, as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
Later in the evening he addressed the audience about the incident once again, stating: “Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability, and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight.”
Jordan and Lindo’s movie, the Ryan Coogler-directed horror film Sinners, earned three awards at the BAFTA Awards: Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku).
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