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

Must have hit a nerve.

So now we've got a bit of anti-semitism rearing its head. You have to love these offence taking guzzlers who are so selective about where their outrage lies.

John has been attending big events for many years now in his capacity as a campaigner. Recently, he's been at pressers for the movie and at the premier, all the while involuntarily yelling profanities. He even yelled involuntary profanities at the Queen. No furore. No one complained. People understood it was 100% disability.

Until now. What a piss poor reflection that is on the people complaining.

The BBC has just described the movie as now being surrounded by controversy. I've never felt moved to complain about the BBC, but I do today, their capitulation on this has absolutely infuriated me.

Yes odd isn’t it.
I can’t tell if that poster is doing that thing where people try and make out like Jews have some sort of privilege when it comes to racism

You don’t speak for anyone but you - you have no idea how it landed or how other people would take it.

The same way that when a child points out I have a mole on my face, it’s VERY different to when an adult points it out

I agree. I initially thought that not editing it was an okay call as it's clearly tics and people would have the maturity to understand, and there wouldn't be a fuss. Unfortunately I completely overestimated people's nuance and compassion, and now think them not editing it was a bloody disaster that has been seized on by SM grifters who don't care how much hurt and damage they are causing that poor man.

Honestly, they're not worth your time.

These people think there is no issue with the N word, not just with JD saying it involuntarily - they think there isn't an issue with that word itself.

You can't fight that kind of ignorance.

ITV News has just showed a clip of an interview John has previously given explaining that he does sometimes shout the N word, that he can’t help it, that he’s mortified by it and he’s far from a racist.

I agree.

I made the mistake of clicking thinking here of all places people would get it.

out of interest perhaps a poll? Who has watched the film?

I was in court the day John was with Sheriff Drummond. I wish many of you could have the instant reaction the Sheriff did.

His entire life has been played out in a movie and he had every right to be there. Could it have been handled better. Absolutely. The BBC have some serious questions to answer.

I would like to see the discussions with John and the risk assessments for him. He will never have been anywhere like that. Was an alternative offered? For example, red carpet, etc and then a quiet “royal” viewing area to watch without fear. who was in the exclusive boxes? The quiet moments are the hardest. So could that have been better managed to make him fully included? A sound proof area right in the middle of things with his nearest and dearest. For the quiet parts. He must have been terrified. Anyone would be. Was any disability assessment carried out WITH him? Who knows.

there will be nobody in the world more upset tonight than him.

but hey, at least it may educate a few more on the subject.

Really? You think that people who haven't been properly prepared for this are 'piss poor' for reacting to being called the N word?

Seriously?

Well, it shouldn’t. And you don’t get to talk for everyone

It was not intended as a slur. And im sure the black actors were perfectly sensible enough to understand that and like most felt sorry for the poor guy that has to live with a condition like that, far more than they felt sorry for themselves.

I'm sure they've heard black rappers and comedians use it aplenty, I suspect they are both tougher and more rational than you allow them.

People who think that a man with Tourette’s, an amazing man whose done extraordinary things, means what he says in his tics, or can help it, are a piss poor reflection of society

Well said.

No one has said that. Stop being disingenuous

You did say it.

Oh I do apologise, it's just a properly prepared issue. How silly of me 🙄

It doesn't matter. It's still an immensely hurtful and painful thing to hear. They can't be expected to just override that reaction.

Nobody on this thread has said that there is no issue with the N word

Why do people make things up?

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 not defensiveness though, is it?

It’s about perspective.

What about the hurt his disability causes HIM?. Every single time he has an interaction like this.

His life has been utterly destroyed by his disability. He needs to live with it every single day. The person on the receiving end, after the 5 second interaction, can just go on with their life. John cannot.

You are making the impact of John’s disability about the wrong person/people.

I refuse to explain what I said again.

You don’t really understand Tourette’s do you, perhaps watch the documentary

If someone called you the worst insult that they could out of the blue, how would you react in the moment?

Of course it is. It’s horrific. BUT that’s what he is saying. He hates himself for it. But he cannot stop it.

Well the very nature of reactions is we can’t control or override them.

But it’s not John Davidson’s problem or responsibility- or anyone else with Tourette’s

just like any normal person would not be as offended by an insult from a small child as tbh would from an adult, normal people would accept that a disabled person who has zero control over their words wouldn’t be as offended either. You’d accept that it’s one of those situations where the other person can’t help or doesn’t have the capacity to control/understand their words