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

She wasn't ableist. And she didn't call JD abusive.

She's hurt and trying to make her voice her heard in a place where BAME people are a tiny monority. Have some empathy.

She’s implied that a disabled person is being abusive due to their uncontrolled symptom and has implied they should be shut away

Thats ableist in my book

He did nothing wrong. The BBC should not have aired.

Nah Jamie Foxx has said JD meant it. He’s a prick

Poor guy. I can’t even imagine how he is feeling.

Where did he learn the word from? I believe you can have Tourette’s and not swear or use racist language.

It would be interesting to see if MSM etc would have been more sympathetic if he uses racist or offensive language to those of the Jewish faith

She hasn't implied that.

She’s directly come out and said it.

Total prick. Was ok with Leo saying it in a film.

So he’s fine with some people saying it within context… but not a disabled man.

She said he dishes out racial abuse
Thats calling him abusive
And it is ableist to imply disabled people should be hidden away. It’s very ableist to say that a symptom of a disability is offensive

The BBC is 90% white and probably 90% able-bodied, they would not have thought of the impact on black people or disabled people.

What do you mean where did he learn the word from? Everyone knows the word, it's not some obscure offensive word that you'd have to be a racist person to know.

Mate, if you can’t read posts properly I can’t help you

There's a couple of posters it's best not to feed.

I agree with you on this.

The cynical part of me thinks it was left in because award show ratings are pitiful and they need the clicks

Even my 9yo has heard the word. He knows it’s unacceptable, but given he’s a human who lives in the world it’s hard to get away from

Don't be so down on yourself. If you want a feed, have one.

YABVU
You obviously don’t have an understanding of Tourette’s syndrome.
It’s completely involuntary, it’s HORRIFIC.

It wouldn't surprise me.

Have you bothered to read the thread?

This can’t be a real comment.

Asking where did he learn the n-word from? Where did YOU learn the n-word from?

Also, why are you bringing Jewish people into this conversation?

Jamie Foxx with the sexual abuse allegation against him, that Jamie Fox? Anyway he didn't say it was unintenional, he straight up called a disabled man a racist. "He meant that shit", he helpfully tweeted.

Oh come off it! Everyone know the n word. The same way we know lots of objectionable terms. We choose not to use them because we know they are objectionable. In his case his disability was the reason he said it.

I’ve explained about 3 separate times that regardless of intent, shouting the n-word at someone LANDS in the same way that targeted racist abuse would.

The impact on the person in question is the same, regardless of whether it was an involuntary tic or not.

I was specifically talking about the hurt caused to the people on the receiving end, not about whether John meant to hurt them.

It doesn’t seem possible to talk about the point of view of the people on the receiving end though without being mobbed in response. Responses have generally been aggressive and dishonest. It’s been nothing but straw manning and wilful misreading. The defensiveness is… interesting 🧐

It's a pity that Davidson had to apologise. Not his fault.
Entirely the fault of BAFTA and the Beeb.