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

It's a weak argument to say 'oh well he couldn't help it'. There are plenty of things people 'can't help', but the impact on others can still be very unpleasant. This is one of those occasions - awful for the guy shouting out I'm sure, but also awful for the guys on the receiving end. It's evident that the situation should have been handled differently in order to avoid this outcome for all of them.

I would equate this to taking an autistic child to the soft play when they can't handle the bright lights and the noise. It's not fair on the child, nor on those around that child if they start kicking off. And no, I am not saying he is a child, it's just an example I am thinking of that often comes up on mumsnet, where someone is in a situation they cannot handle.

There are some things that it just isn't possible for people with certain disabilities to do, regardless of the adjustments made. A blind person cannot drive a bus. This man was unable to sit through a ceremony without shouting offensive words, upsetting others and himself. It's not suggesting 'bringing back to the asylum' to say that he shouldn't have been there in that situation.

He has an uncontrollable urge to say the thing that he'd never want to say. I have a facial disfigurement, if he saw me, he'd say something awful about that. Not because he wants to hurt me, or because it's a horrible truth about what he really feels when he sees me. He just knows what would be the worst thing to say and is literally compelled to say it.

If the word he said about those men indicates anything about him, it's that what he said was the last thing he'd ever want to say. If he was actually racist, he wouldn't have said it because it wouldn't have been taboo to him.

Exactly. Very publicly, whilst they were on stage with spotlights on them. I'm sure it was awful experience.

And for those feeling sorry for John, for multiple reasons, this further adds to reasons why the inaction of the BBC was wholly unacceptable. All three men involved were not protected. The severity of this could have been avoided if the BBC had edited that part out.

You’ve misunderstood.

Black people don’t hold the monopoly on bad things happening to them. So I don’t see why the N word is SUCH an issue compared with other slurs.

On this thread:

The N word has magical powers and is elevated above all other insults when it shouldnt be
Black men sometimes call each other by that name so we should be able to
White people were and apparently still are victims of slavery.
The 3 black people involved have made too much of a fuss.
Rich black men can take insults.

I think all the above goes beyond John Davidson. Who deserves no hate. But there is a wider issue about how BAMES should apparently just lie back and shut up.

You’ve really jumped the shark here.

The film about his life had one best actor award. The film to raise awareness of the condition. Segregating him from the award would have made a mockery of that, and of the OBE he was given for his services as a campaigner.

So he's not allowed to go to an awards ceremony featuring a film about him which is intended to inform people about Tourettes syndrome?

So what’s a common equivalent slur against white people?

Have I? Please point out any inaccuracy.
You have just said you don't think the N word is SUCH an issue.

I understand that. But has he come out of this situation well? I imagine he is deeply embarrassed and upset. It's not nice for anyone involved.

Really? I thought it was a pretty succinct summary of the thread.

I don’t know. We haven’t collectively decided on a word that’s unutterable.

Perhaps you’re both not very bright

If 'informing people about Tourette's' includes two black actors having the n-word shouted at them, then yes, I think this should have been done differently. None of those men will be feeling good about this today.

You should also imagine that he's used to ignorant people reminding him of his unintended ignorance.

He's come out the situation just fine imo - it's people who have reacted so ridiculously who have shown their arses here.

I don’t.

Their motives are clear.

That's what coprolalia looks like though. That's the condition. It can't be changed, so best to learn about it and show understanding.

Then perhaps it is you who is not very bright

How? What should have been different? Bearing in mind that he could have shouted anything.

Really? So you think he feels OK about having shouted the N word at two black men in such a public arena? I thought the whole film was about the impact his tourette's had on him. Do you think it was just water off a duck's back?

And yet you still can't point out an inaccuracy in my summary. Ad hominem is easy.

So which word would you like to utter more? The N word or the P word?

And the fact that you can’t name an equivalent word for white oeople should show you your privilege and maybe explain why the N and P
words are so hurtful to many.