John Davidson shouting the N word during the BAFTAS

[Crawse]

John Davidson has Tourettes and is a campaigner for the condition. Whist Michale B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting he shouted out the racial slur. It’s extremely uncomfortable to watch. I feel terrible for the two presenters. I’m really conflicted on this one.

What are your thoughts?

No one should be subjected to abuse. That is my bottom line. Maybe the fact I was called P*** (I’m half Indian) growing up has influenced my views. I obviously recognise Tourette’s is involuntary.

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/22/entertainment/baftas-2026-tourettes-racist-slur

I'm sure he avoids lots of events and situations but this event was one with a film literally about himself and his condition! He didn't even get to see it win!! I am offended for him at the ignorance of reactions. We people of colour do not have a monopoly on being offended.

Your understanding is completely wrong!
They are involuntarily meaning they have absolutely no control whatsoever, and in stressful circumstances (and the awards ceremony would be ) they are even more prevalent and likely to be offensive.

See the film

if you don’t have tears in the library scene you are utterly without heart

But the first that was based on his life , on a book he wrote featured heavily in the nominations and won several Awards. Saying he should stay away is disability discrimination.
He deserved to be there

Imagine living with this kind of Tourette's, being expected by some to make a formal announcement and pre apologies if you dared to venture from the front door. What is the difference of a involuntary slur at the baftas or at the local supermarket, does he also need to pre warn shoppers. No wonder the condition is linked to extremely poor mental health.

I will definitely watch it.

We have a supported living flats in our village. A young man has Tourette’s and when he first moved in. He use to shout fuck off/cunt every time he saw us.
It was 25 years ago and I was often out with my pram. I was upset at first but then read up on Tourette’s.
After I understood I use to shout back good morning/lovely day/rain is horrible isn’t etc as I realised he was trying to say hello. Especially as he would wave and smile. He’s not that young anymore but he still waves and swears. But I understand isn’t personal and my children learn about disability.
I think the BBC should have known better and edited it out.

In amongst all this - your willingness to read, learn and apologise has given me faith back and made me cry x my son has this form of Tourette’s and he’s absolutely smashing life - excelling at work - large social circle- primarily because of the awareness that people now have of this terrible debilitating condition because of John D and people like him. Sometimes you see how exhausted my son is by it and his efforts to put people at ease around him and explain the condition daily have made him an extremely popular person to be around . But it’s never ending- it’s exhausting just listening to it sometimes- you learn to tune it out.

thank you x

So, if your son made involuntary slurs of any kind which were recorded and sent around the world, would you want them recorded or erased?

I don't need a monopoly on being offended; but I will exercise my right to be offended whenever I see/feel/ perceive offense.
Thank you!

Yes but calling people ‘fucker’ or dick’ or ‘cunt’ is not specific to one group.

So moving away when you see someone black that is going to trigger you to say ‘n””””””’ makes sense.

It wasn’t handled well by all, it shouldn’t have been broadcast for one.

What’s what I would or wouldn’t want or what John Davidson would or wouldn’t want got to do with you on this dreary Monday afternoon?

Why the hell should he leave the room because he has a disabling neurological disorder?

It's for other people to make adjustments for disabilities, not for the person with the disability.

But it’s never ending- it’s exhausting just listening to it sometimes- you learn to tune it out.

It’s equally exhausting for black people to hear that they’re not allowed to be upset and they need to let things roll off them like water on a duck’s back.

I mean, it was a question on a discussion forum? Because no one with experience of Tourettes has posted. But many of us of colour have said that we don't want racial slurs to be broadcasted around the world

Don't answer it if you don't want to discuss it. But this is a discussion board so I can ask!

That's really kind of you. It must be such a challenge and the idea that even fairly rational people can think they must be able to control it is constant prejudice. I've certainly learned a fair bit.

I'm really pleased your son is doing well in life xx

No, black people shouldn’t always have to make adjustments. They are not lesser then people with disabilities.

John also said the N word to Helen Bleachler, a black woman, later that evening.

At some point you need to keep away from
people in certain situations if you’re going to upset them. Having already said the N word twice that evening, he didn’t need to approach Helen.

And he shouted "you're going to die" to his friend's mum when he went round for dinner (she had cancer).
He's not targeting a particular group here. For a billionth time.

But he didn’t call her a racial term.

And he shouldn’t go round down for dinner if she was upset by his comments.

I don't think ticcing a racial slur is uniquely awful though, although you seem to.

You still aren't getting it, are you.

People with this condition can blurt things out at any time and with absolutely no malicious intent whatsoever.

Fairly obviously, the only way to avoid ever doing that within earshot of anyone is to never interact with another human being, ever.

Bit impractical, don't you think?

What happened last night was uniquely awful.

It’s all fine until it’s your race or religion or ethnicity.

It’s clear you haven’t read my posts which show I do get it.

But there are ways you can mitigate against this, so the people saying black people should stand around grinning and nodding whilst they hear these terms are ludicrous.

Here's the response from the actor who plays John's lawyer:

https://x.com/dcrowleyprod/status/2025888778779275645