Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson has said he is “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning” after he shouted a racial slur at the Bafta Film Awards on Sunday night. In a statement to the Press Association, Davidson said he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was “aware of the distress my tics were causing”. “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. Referencing this, Davidson said: “In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and Bafta, 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. It says there is no cure but treatment can help to manage the tics.

Source: Irish Examiner February 24, 2026 07:12 UTC