Jamie Foxx and others criticise Bafta ceremony after Tourette’s campaigner’s outbursts

The fallout from a string of involuntary outbursts at the film awards intensified as jamie foxx and other public figures criticised the episode, which saw a guest with Tourette’s syndrome shout racial slurs and other strong language during the ceremony. Organisers and the broadcaster apologised after the moment remained on the delayed television broadcast and on the broadcaster’s online service before it was removed.

Jamie Foxx and public figures condemn the outburst

Among those criticising the outburst was jamie foxx, who wrote "Unacceptable" and "Nah he meant that shit. " Actor Wendell Pierce said: "It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full throated apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan. The insult to them takes priority. It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur. " Journalist Jemele Hill added: "Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanised so that other people don’t feel bad. " Sinners’ production designer Hannah Beachler said she had a racial slur directed at her and criticised what she called the "throwaway" apology, calling out the phrasing of "if you were offended" as making the situation worse.

What the broadcaster and organisers said and did

A spokesperson for the broadcaster apologised, saying: "We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on the broadcaster's online service. " The broadcaster also said: "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. " The broadcaster declined to comment further on why the material was not initially edited or bleeped out. Organisers acknowledged the "harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all" and said they had started "from a position of inclusion, " taking steps to inform attendees of the guest's presence and that they might hear strong language.

John Davidson: background, diagnosis and response

The guest was John Davidson, a Tourette's campaigner from Galashiels in Scotland whose life story inspired the film I Swear. He was made an MBE in 2019. Davidson has said he was diagnosed at the age of 25 and that his symptoms first began when he was 12, with tics and uncontrollable outbursts that can often involve cursing. He shouted loudly several times before and during the ceremony and later said he was "deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning. " He added: "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 he chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony because he was aware of the distress his tics were causing.

Onstage incidents, presenters and host statements

The outbursts were audible at moments when Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were on stage presenting the first prize. During the ceremony some audience members heard several expletives, including one shout of the N-word while Lindo and Jordan presented; other audible outbursts included "shut the fuck up" during an introductory speech from the ceremony chair Sara Putt and "fuck you" when the directors of Boong accepted the award for best children's and family film. The host, Alan Cumming, made two announcements during the ceremony, telling the audience: "Tourette syndrome is a disability, and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you are offended tonight. " Cumming also thanked the audience for their "understanding, " and his remarks were delivered in front of an audience that included the Prince and Princess of Wales. After the awards, Delroy Lindo said he and Michael B. Jordan "did what we had to do" in carrying on presenting, but he wished "someone from Bafta spoke to us afterward. "

Broadcast handling, edits and production reactions

The ceremony was broadcast with a two-hour delay and the outbursts were not cut for that transmission; the moment remained on the broadcaster's online service the next morning before it was removed. The shout was audible in the broadcast, though many viewers would have struggled to make out the word. Some production staff said they "didn't hear" the slur because they were "working in a truck. " The organisers said they took duty of care to guests seriously and had informed attendees beforehand about the guest's condition. The organisers did not immediately respond to requests for further comment after the broadcast was amended.

I Swear, cast recognition and ceremony context

I Swear, the film inspired by Davidson, features Robert Aramayo as Davidson at the age of 25 and follows his life after his appearance in the documentary John's Not Mad. The film was directed, written and produced by Kirk Jones, and was up for five awards, including best leading actor for Robert Aramayo, best supporting actor for Peter Mullan, best original screenplay and casting; the casting award was one the film won. It was also competing for outstanding British film. Robert Aramayo was awarded the EE Rising Star prize at the ceremony; collecting the award he said: "John Davidson is the most remarkable man I ever met. He’s so forthcoming with education and he believes there should be still so much more we need to learn about Tourette’s. Especially, I"—a remark that trailed off in the moment.

• Key names mentioned in the ceremony: John Davidson, Delroy Lindo, Michael B. Jordan, Alan Cumming, Sara Putt, Robert Aramayo, Peter Mullan, Kirk Jones, Hannah Beachler, Wendell Pierce, Kemi Badenoch.
• Noted details: two-hour delayed broadcast; guest made an MBE in 2019; Davidson diagnosed at 25 with symptoms from age 12; the film I Swear had five nominations and won casting; organisers said they had informed attendees about the guest's condition.