Tourette’s/BAFTAs offensive language

[Lochroy]

I wasn’t watching, I’ve just read the article on BBC news. I will admit I know little of Tourette’s and therefore posting to understand.

The tics agree involuntary, and often use offensive language. But what I’m struggling to get my head around is excusing use of the N word because it was caused by the disability when it was (seemingly) only directed at black people?

Also presumably it’s learned vocab so children don’t have swear words as tics? How does this develop?

Because the Tourette's makes you say the worst possible thing for that given moment

I didn't know that. I've learned something today.

It's still hard to hear though. Even if you know the intention isn't to hurt

I think this can also be true. I feel for everyone involved.

How do people tell if someone with Tourette’s is being malicious or it’s his/ her condition? It seems hard to tell to me and many people are just randomly rude to people especially to those who are different. It’s asking a lot from people to just be understanding and not take offence.

BAFTA have failed in my opinion, there was lots they could do. It's highly embarrassing for them.

Well there was something that could be done to prevent it. He had already yelled out several offensive things. When he realised it was escalating because it was a high pressure situation, he could’ve excused himself.

Except that everyone there had been advised there was an audience member with Tourette’s before it started and he’d shouted over Alan Cumming twice before an award was presented. But sure, it came right out of the blue for them no doubt.

One of my best friends regularly has interactions with him, indeed “big tits” and “slag” are common names she deals with, he apologises and she keeps telling him it’s absolutely fine.

There is no denying that things that are said can be hurtful. For sure. But surely and understanding should quickly follow that too? Are we really devoid of that in this age?

To claim there was intent is pure nonsense.

To suggest he shouldn’t have been in attendance is ableist.

John hasn’t fought all his life and come to this legendary point to be cancelled. The BBC done him dirty for not removing it in the first place - did he really need to wake up to further shame? He already removed himself from the ceremony because he knows it’s wrong. That’s sad - that was one of the biggest nights of his life. I spent the whole morning worried about him and I hope he has support. I also hope he sees the positive support.

I only hope the drama it’s caused pushes I Swear and Johns Not Mad to reach and educate even more people. It has certainly highlighted to me that Americans aren’t as clued up as the Uk, and ironically that’s probably down to the work John has done in the last decades.

How do they distinguish who has said what? Were they provided with a recording of his voice? Of course they weren’t.

This is WILD. I watched the film and I thought Jesus crist were people actually that thick back in the 90s that they didn't understand about tourettes and here in 2026 people are still ignorant idiots!

I honestly had no idea that people still don't understand its completely involuntary and the worst things are said in the moment.

If people actually think he should apologise when he says something out of line he would constantly be apologising. Constantly! He lives in 2026 so everybody knows about the condition so this has moved society on from the poor tourettes suffers to have to live their lives apologising.

If I’d been told in advance that someone with Tourette’s was in the audience I’d feel terribly sorry for them and try to put them at ease. Because I’m a decent human being.

He yells out offensive things almost constantly. That is literally his condition. With your logic, if he removed himself from every situation, he would never go anywhere or do anything.
He had every right to be there and should not have felt he had to leave because of his disability.

Perhaps the furore will make these ignorant people watch the film and some good will come of it.

I think BAFTA and the BBC are to blame for the furore here. It’s seems they did almost nothing to address what should have been a very clear risk, and they should have edited it out of the broadcast (as they have now done, too late). They had a duty towards all three of the people involved and it seems that they considered none of them, which is why poor John is at the centre of such a shitshow. The person who will suffer most from this failure is John rather than the two millionaire actors - it’s appalling.

It’s a disability and he can’t help it.
I think people just have no understanding of it and assume that the person is voicing their inner thoughts. They aren’t.

That’s such rubbish and you know it. Because in that moment, you have no idea who has yelled it.

He was invited for a reason. To celebrate him. They knew of his disability. It’s literally what the fucking film is about. He absolutely should not have had to leave and miss the reason why he was there.

Wow. You are abusing people with an uncontrollable medical condition.

Do you think you should be locked up too?

I can't edit so adding:

If everyone was made aware in advance and there had been other things shouted throughout the night, and the men in question knew all this, then hopefully they were less shocked and upset by it.

Agree with everyone that it should have been edited out to prevent the media shitstorm, either way.

Sorry I’m not sure what you mean?

I’ve actually been in a very similar situation in church with disabled people who yell out inappropriate things and carried on with understanding and empathy so it’s actually not fucking rubbish.

I think this issue is complex and one which applies across numerous contexts. The words used were offensive, I think the words should not have been broadcast so yes the broadcast should have been censored. The film is about Tourettes, therefore those who choose to see the film know what to expect, this was not the case for those tuning into the awards. There is a wider issue about the use of offensive words at events/in public. This awards ceremony was for adults and therefore adults have the ability to be compassionate to those who suffer from Tourettes. However, someone with Tourettes using these offensive words in a child friendly environment would in my view be different, for example had this been at a children's play area or in another public space which was frequented by children.

He did excuse himself. He missed the 2nd half of the awards show.

you lack compassion. He should not have to apologise or lock himself away because he has a medical condition & said things that were completely out of his control

And all the presenters were sitting in the audience for that warning, were they? They were specifically told that this might include slurs and insults directed at characteristics of the people on stage? Come on, you can't be this impervious to shock and hurt being felt by anyone in the moment. Neither has said anything critical nor did they react in the moment. Even so, people are finding fault with them and other black people for not being good enough Uncle Toms.

With regard the 'Free Palestine' comment, if the person shouting it had tourette's then I don't think it should have been edited out. If they didn't, I think it should. I can see why the BBC left the N word in, I bet the really agonised over what the right thing to do was. I think it's something with no right answer. If somebody with tourette's called me a 'cunt' I wouldn't be offended, I'd be more worried about assuring them it was ok, and not to worry.

I think it’s ironic that I’m being told I lack compassion when a whole thread of people are seemingly happy to ignore the very valid feelings of the black men who were abused.

How do you tell if someone with partial blindness isn’t just ignoring you?

How do you tell if someone with partial deafness just can’t be arsed answering you?

How can you tell if someone in a wheelchair isn’t faking and could easily walk?

Do you have any clue how much harder this decades old attitude makes life for people with Tourette’s?

In the last year DH had to make emergency calls about our friend because she was suicidal due to Tourettes. She has it really badly and the medication she takes for it doesn't always work and has side effects.

The ignorance here is really dreadful. I wouldn't wish Tourettes in my worst enemy.