The BAFTA awards have responded to an offensive remark heard during the ceremony. The committee clarified that the sound, attributed to John Davidson, was a result of Tourette Syndrome causing verbal tics. In a statement shared on social media, they acknowledged the harm caused and apologized for the incident.
John Davidson, an executive producer of the BAFTA-nominated film “I Swear,” based on his life, has Tourette Syndrome. The committee emphasized that the verbal tics associated with the condition are involuntary and do not reflect an individual’s beliefs. They also highlighted the measures taken to inform attendees about the possibility of hearing strong language or noises due to the tics.
During the ceremony, a loud tic involving an offensive term was heard, prompting apologies to those present, including actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. John Davidson opted to watch the rest of the event from a screen after the incident. The committee expressed gratitude to all involved for their professionalism and stated their commitment to learning from the situation to ensure inclusivity in future events.
