{"id":441356,"date":"2026-02-23T15:07:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T15:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/441356\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T15:07:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T15:07:09","slug":"gb-news-comic-leo-kearse-jumps-to-tourettes-campaigners-defence-amid-bafta-racial-slur-row-after-channel-5-star-demands-apology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/441356\/","title":{"rendered":"GB News comic Leo Kearse jumps to Tourette’s campaigner’s defence amid Bafta ‘racial slur’ row after Channel 5 star demands apology"},"content":{"rendered":"

GB News regular Leo Kearse has leapt to Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson\u2019s defence after Jeremy Vine contributor Narinder Kaur demanded accountability following a controversial moment at Sunday night\u2019s Baftas.<\/p>\n

The row erupted after Mr Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting an award at London\u2019s Royal Festival Hall.<\/p>\n

Mr Davidson, whose life story inspired the Bafta-nominated film I Swear, has long spoken publicly about his Tourette\u2019s syndrome and the involuntary verbal tics associated with the condition.<\/p>\n

Following the incident, Channel 5 contributor Ms Kaur wrote on X: “Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson shouted the N-word while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the BAFTAs.<\/p>\n

\"JohnJohn Davidson was invited to this year’s Baftas | PA<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m sorry, this is WILDLY unacceptable on so many levels – mostly so from @BAFTA.”<\/p>\n

She continued: \u201cWe can all understand he has a condition, but this is subjecting Jordan and Lindo to racial trauma, which everyone needs to understand is UNACCEPTABLE on every level.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that they apologized to the BAFTA audience publicly, but not directly to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan continues the tradition of prioritizing white comfort over Black trauma.\u201d (sic)<\/p>\n

The social commentator’s comments triggered a swift response from Mr Kearse on X.<\/p>\n

\"MichaelMichael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting a Bafta at the time of one of the outbursts | GETTY<\/p>\n

He wrote: \u201cIn Western culture, we accept disabled people in public spaces and make accommodations for their disabilities. Narinder doesn’t like this.”<\/p>\n

GB News contributor Darren Grimes similarly weighed in on the debate, writing on X: \u201cPretty incredible that she\u2019s now attempting to cancel a disabled bloke for doing something entirely out of his control.\u201d<\/p>\n

Supporters of the Tourette’s advocate quickly rallied behind Mr Kearse\u2019s post. <\/p>\n

“She is being somewhat disrespectful towards two adult men who would, I assume, have the intelligence and empathy to know the difference,” one X user commented.<\/p>\n

In Western culture, we accept disabled people in public spaces and make accommodations for their disabilities. Narinder doesn’t like this. https:\/\/t.co\/qTUAjnQEBA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Leo Kearse – see me on tour! Links in bio (@LeoKearse) February 23, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

“She\u2019s too immature to realise using disabled people to get attention on x is a d*** move,” wrote another.<\/p>\n

A fourth penned: \u201cThe late Queen didn\u2019t kick up a fuss when he shouted f*** the queen in her presence, she understood it was out of his control, I imagine John was and will be mortified after last night, but Narinder jumps on another bandwagon.\u201d<\/p>\n

A further response read: \u201cMaybe if the Left hadn\u2019t gone so hard on hurty words the mental gymnastics required in this particular example wouldn\u2019t be needed.\u201d (sic)<\/p>\n

However, some users leapt to Ms Kaur’s defence.<\/p>\n

\"Leo<\/p>\n

Leo Kearse leapt to the defence of the Tourette’s advocate<\/p>\n

| Leo Kearse<\/p>\n

One person wrote: “The Beeb should have bleeped this out though given the hours time delay to broadcast.” (sic)<\/p>\n

The BBC issued a statement addressing the controversy on Monday morning.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson said: \u201cSome viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards 2026.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette’s syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Darren<\/p>\n

Darren Grimes weighed in on the debate<\/p>\n

| GB News<\/p>\n

Host Alan Cumming also addressed the outbursts live on air, explaining that Tourette\u2019s syndrome is a disability and that the tics heard during the ceremony were involuntary.<\/p>\n

Mr Davidson was not heard during the second half of the awards show and is understood to have left of his own accord.<\/p>\n