Photo: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images
John Davidson, an ambassador for Tourette’s Syndrome awareness and inspiration for the movie I Swear, issued an apology for his “involuntary tics” that made it to air during Sunday night’s BAFTAs ceremony. “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,” he wrote in a statement, shared with THR. “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. 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.” He shouted a racial slur when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting an award; the two paused, then continued with their segment. The BAFTAs did not edit out this segment, despite the show not airing live with a two-hour delay — they did edit out a part of Akinola Davies Jr.’s speech where he said, “Free Palestine.”
Davidson left the show shortly after the incident. He concluded in his statement, “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. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.”
Related