The fallout from an unexpected outburst at the BAFTA Film Awards continues, as John Davidson, the Tourette syndrome activist whose involuntary vocal tics included a racial slur during the ceremony, has spoken out about the incident and the response from BAFTA and the BBC. Davidson asserts that both organizations were aware of his condition and should have anticipated, and better prepared for, potential disruptions.
In an interview with Variety, Davidson revealed that BAFTA had informed him that any swearing would be edited from the broadcast. He expressed frustration that, despite this assurance, and his previous work with the BBC on four documentaries, more wasn’t done to mitigate the possibility of his tics being audible. “I have made four documentaries with the BBC in the past, and feel that they should have been aware of what to expect from Tourette’s and worked harder to prevent anything that I said – which, after all, was some 40 rows back from the stage – from being included in the broadcast,” he stated.
StudioCanal, the backers of “I Swear,” the film inspired by Davidson’s life story which was nominated for several awards at the ceremony, confirmed to the Guardian that they were also told by BAFTA that swearing would be removed from the broadcast. The incident occurred while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award, and the audible slur prompted immediate apologies from both the BBC and BAFTA, as well as a comprehensive review by the latter.
Davidson’s concerns extend beyond the broadcast itself. He questioned the placement of a microphone directly in front of his seat, given his condition. “I remember there was a microphone just in front of me, and with hindsight I have to question whether this was wise, so close to where I was seated,” he said.
The activist emphasized the involuntary nature of his tics and the distress caused by the incident. “I can’t begin to explain how upset and distraught I have been as the impact from Sunday sinks in,” Davidson told Variety. He expressed a desire to clarify that his tics are not indicative of his beliefs or intentions. “I want people to know and understand that my tics have absolutely nothing to do with what I think, feel or believe. It’s an involuntary neurological misfire. My tics are not an intention, not a choice and not a reflection of my values.” He described feeling “a wave of shame” over the incident, acknowledging that his tics have caused pain and upset in the past.
Davidson has reportedly reached out to Warner Bros. To directly apologize to Jordan, Lindo, and Hannah Beachler, the production designer for “Sinners,” who also reported hearing offensive language directed at her during the ceremony. He also sought to contextualize the range of tics he experienced that evening, stating he vocalized approximately ten different offensive words. “The N-word was one of these, and I completely understand its significance in history and in the modern world, but most articles are giving the impression I shouted one single slur on Sunday,” he explained.
To illustrate the unpredictable nature of his tics, Davidson cited an instance during the event when Alan Cumming made a joke referencing Paddington Bear. This prompted a tic resulting in Davidson shouting the word “paedophile.” “On Sunday, Alan Cumming joked about his own sexuality and, when referencing Paddington Bear, said, ‘Maybe you would like to come home with me, Paddington. It wouldn’t be the first time I have taken a hairy Peruvian bear home with me.’ This resulted in homophobic tics from me and led to a shout of ‘paedophile’ that was likely triggered because Paddington Bear is a children’s character.”
The incident has triggered a wider reckoning within the industry. The BBC has apologized to staff, and BAFTA has launched a “comprehensive review” into its handling of the situation. BAFTA judge Jonte Richardson resigned, calling the organization’s response “utterly unforgivable.” Warner Bros. Also reportedly raised concerns with BAFTA immediately during the ceremony and requested the removal of the offensive language from the broadcast, a request that apparently went unheeded. The BBC subsequently removed the segment from its iPlayer streaming service.
The situation highlights the complexities of broadcasting live events and the challenges of accommodating individuals with neurological conditions. It also raises questions about the responsibility of broadcasters and event organizers to anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions, particularly when dealing with sensitive subject matter and a live audience. The ongoing review by BAFTA is expected to address these issues and potentially lead to changes in protocols for future events.
