John Davidson I Swear: The BAFTA Moment That Stopped the World
One of the most talked-about moments from Sunday's 2026 BAFTA Film Awards had nothing to do with a trophy — it had everything to do with one man in the audience. John Davidson, the Scottish Tourette's syndrome campaigner whose life inspired the critically acclaimed film I Swear, attended the ceremony at London's Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 — and his involuntary vocal tics sparked a global conversation that is still trending today.
Who Is John Davidson?
John Davidson, 54, is a Scottish Tourette's syndrome activist and the real-life subject of the BAFTA-winning biographical film I Swear. His condition — characterized by involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal tics, often including shouting and cursing — first came to wide public attention through the 1989 BBC documentary John's Not Mad, which helped introduce Tourette's syndrome to mainstream audiences at a time when the condition was barely understood or identified.
He was not officially diagnosed with Tourette's until age 25. Despite an extraordinarily difficult life shaped by his condition — including arrests, social isolation, and constant embarrassment — Davidson devoted himself to education and advocacy. In 2019, he was awarded an MBE by the Queen for his services to Tourette's awareness.
What Happened at the BAFTAs
Davidson attended the 2026 BAFTA ceremony as a guest of the I Swear production team, which had received five nominations. Before the show began, the BAFTA floor manager addressed the audience directly, saying Davidson would be present and that involuntary noises and outbursts should be expected.
Despite the warning, the evening produced several jarring moments. During the ceremony, Davidson's tics resulted in him shouting "Boring!" during opening remarks, "Bullshit!" when guests were asked not to curse, and "shut the fuck up" during a speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt. The most combustible moment came when Davidson shouted a racial slur while Black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award on stage. The BBC, broadcasting on a time delay, did not edit out the slur — and apologized afterward.
Davidson left the ceremony approximately 25 minutes in, reportedly of his own accord.
The BBC Apology and Global Reaction
| Reaction | Source |
|---|---|
| BBC apologized for airing slur on broadcast | BBC spokesperson |
| BAFTA host Alan Cumming reminded audience tics are involuntary | Live ceremony |
| Actor Jamie Foxx called it "unacceptable" on social media | The Neighborhood Talk |
| Tourettes Action charity defended Davidson publicly | Charity statement |
| "BAFTA Tourette's" and "BAFTA racial slur" both trended globally | Social media |
Tourettes Action, the UK's leading Tourette's charity, issued a statement stressing that "tics are involuntary" and that Davidson "has no control over his language." The charity urged the public to understand the fundamental nature of the condition rather than direct anger at Davidson personally.
I Swear Wins Big — Robert Aramayo's Shock Victory
The controversy did not overshadow the film's remarkable night. Robert Aramayo, who plays Davidson in I Swear, won the BAFTA for Best Actor — defeating Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, and Michael B. Jordan in one of the biggest upsets of awards season. Aramayo also won the BAFTA Rising Star Award. The film, directed and written by Kirk Jones, additionally won for Casting and earned nominations across Best British Film, Best Supporting Actor (Peter Mullan), and Best Original Screenplay.
Accepting his award, Aramayo said: "John Davidson is the most remarkable man I ever met. He believes there should be so much more we need to learn about Tourette's. For people living with it, it's us around them who help define what their experience is."
I Swear currently holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 31 critics, with an average score of 9.8/10. It is streaming now on Prime Video in the UK and is set for a U.S. theatrical release in April 2026, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics.
