John Davidson BAFTAs 2026: Tourette's Activist Sparks Global Debate at Royal Festival Hall
John Davidson — the Scottish Tourette's syndrome campaigner and MBE — became the most talked-about figure at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday, February 22, at London's Royal Festival Hall. Davidson, an invited guest at the ceremony, experienced multiple tics throughout the evening — including shouted expletives and, at one point, a racial slur during a presentation by Black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. The evening ignited a worldwide conversation about disability, inclusion, race, and the responsibilities of live broadcasting — all against the backdrop of the BAFTA-nominated film about Davidson's own life.
Who Is John Davidson? A Lifetime of Tourette's Advocacy
Davidson is a Scottish Tourette's syndrome campaigner who first gained public attention in 1989 after appearing in the seminal BBC documentary John's Not Mad, which introduced millions of viewers to the realities of living with the condition. Davidson, who began experiencing symptoms at age 12 but wasn't diagnosed until he was 25, has spent four decades advocating for greater awareness and understanding of Tourette's. He was awarded an honor by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 for his decades of advocacy work. Davidson now lives in Galashiels, Scotland, where he serves as a community centre caretaker.
What John Davidson Said at the BAFTAs — and Why It Was Involuntary
The evening opened with a floor manager introducing John Davidson MBE to the room and warning attendees that he has Tourette's syndrome and that they might hear involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony. Despite this advance notice, the outbursts shocked many in attendance and watching at home. The key incidents of the evening included:
| Moment | John Davidson's Outburst |
|---|---|
| BAFTA chair Sara Putt's opening remarks | "Boring!" then "Shut the f*** up" |
| Audience asked not to curse | "Bullshit!" |
| Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo on stage | Racial slur (n-word), picked up by microphones |
| Boong best children's film acceptance | Profanity shouted at directors |
| Approximately 25 minutes in | Davidson left the venue of his own accord |
Davidson left the ceremony approximately 25 minutes into the proceedings — of his own accord, and not as a result of being asked to leave by BAFTA.
Alan Cumming Halts BAFTAs Twice to Address John Davidson's Tourette's
Host Alan Cumming handled one of the most delicate moments in BAFTA history with measured grace, pausing the ceremony twice to directly address the audience — which included the Prince and Princess of Wales. Cumming told the crowd: "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." His earlier address framed the outbursts as part of the very experience the nominated film explores, thanking the audience for helping create a respectful space.
What Is Coprolalia? Understanding John Davidson's Tourette's Symptoms
Central to understanding John Davidson's behavior at the BAFTAs is the medical reality of coprolalia — a complex vocal tic associated with Tourette's syndrome. Coprolalia is a complex vocal tic that causes sudden outbursts involving obscene and socially inappropriate remarks. It is commonly associated with Tourette's syndrome. Davidson himself has long described the sensory experience behind his condition. He explained: "Sometimes the way a Tourette's mind works is our mind works so quick so constantly the whole time we're in a place, we're scanning round the place looking for information...everything is overloaded, sensory overload."
I Swear: The BAFTA-Nominated Film at the Center of It All
John Davidson's presence at the 2026 BAFTAs was not coincidental — the film I Swear earned six BAFTA nominations and won three awards, including best casting. Robert Aramayo, who portrays Davidson in the biopic, pulled off one of the all-time BAFTA upsets, beating Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Timothée Chalamet, Jesse Plemons, and Michael B. Jordan to take home Best Actor. A tearful Aramayo said at the podium: "John Davidson is the most remarkable man I ever met. They need support and understanding." Netflix UK will premiere I Swear on March 10, 2026, while a US release is planned for later in 2026.
The Debate: Two Things Can Be True at Once
The John Davidson BAFTAs incident ignited an immediate and polarizing global debate. On social media, users argued: "Two things can be true at once. John Davidson having the outburst due to Tourette's Syndrome is an unfortunate situation. However, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo being called that in a room full of their peers can't feel great either. They deserve a public apology." Others called for a formal public apology from Davidson directly to both actors. Tourette's advocates pushed back, reiterating that coprolalia is by definition beyond conscious control. Emma McNally, CEO of Tourette's Action, praised the film's cultural impact, stating it has given audiences a far more accurate understanding of what Tourette's can look like and how it affects the individual. The conversation John Davidson ignited at the 2026 BAFTAs — however uncomfortable — is precisely the one his life's work has always sought to start.
