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

JD definitely doesnt need to. The BBC must. To the actors.

I think the involuntary element is perhaps a red herring. If he was involuntarily hitting them or flinging stuff that actually would hurt people, obviously he wouldn't be able to go. It wouldn't be "his fault" but it wouldn't be a reasonable thing to subject people to.

The real issue is that these are grown men and it actually won't hurt them to hear the"n-word". Chances are they have said it themselves a fair few times. It might initially surprise them, if they don't see what's going on and think it is a random jerk. But they are grown men, not six year olds.

This is one of those horrible and unfortunate events that doesn't actually need to be turned into a discourse about who is right and who is wrong. I feel for everyone involved.

I'm mixed-race and for all the hurt and anger I would feel at having a racial slur directed at me, I would be able to move on once I realised it was an involuntary symptom of a disability.

I didn't know that the BBC magically censored "Free Palestine" but kept the racial slur in, and I'm more outraged by that decision.

John is not at fault here, the BBC should have censored his tics though, as now all three are getting lots of abuse, in different forms.

He should, of course, have been invited, it's the film about him and his disability that was nominated for multiple categories.

You'd like someone to train themselves out of a neurological condition, coprolalia, whose prime presentation is to shout out socially inappropriate words and phrases?
That's that sorted then. Perhaps you can next address people who can't walk, or the blind, with some helpful training tips?

No it’s really not “blatantly obvious” whether intentional or not why the BBC chose to broadcast racial slurs but edited out “Free Palestine.” Why is intentionality relevant to that editorial decision?

Why are viewers who would be offended by “Free Palestine” catered to but not those offended by racial slurs?

If the BBC had ample time to edit out political statements then why not use that same time to edit out racial slurs?

You can't exclude someone from attending an award ceremony for their own film because of their disability. I can't believe I've just read this comment on here in 2026!!

Agree. That’s the whole point of the film afaik

This is true too. We saw that when Will Smith attacked Chris Rock. If he had attacked a white guy everyone would be saying how scary it must have been. Because the victim was black everyone just acted as if he should just be able to handle it.

Literally. It's a word. For all we know they use it multiple times a day themselves. It wasn't meant in an offensive way.

It's completely involuntary though. Do you think he should have to stay behind closed doors at all times in case he says something offensive? You don't know how those black actors felt, they could have been fine with it because they understand it's a disability and vocal tics are involuntary.

It really is. The amount of ignorance around Tourettes on this thread is disgusting.

I didn't know that the BBC magically censored "Free Palestine" but kept the racial slur in, and I'm more outraged by that decision.

Exactly, this is the only thing that should be up for debate.

i'm glad John Davidson didn't stay at home - he's done so much work as a Tourette's campaigner that he was given an OBE.
And yes he shouted "fuck the Queen" right at the Queen. She had the good grace not to make it about herself though.

This is disablist. It is literally his disability that means he cannot control what he says. You are extremely ignorant.

My DC has Tourettes, should I keep her at home in case her tics affect other people?!

You don't see a difference between black people using a word between themselves and it becoming a meme for racists?
I do.

If you're an intolerant arsehole who hates disabled people I guess you could.

And people living with disabilities shouldn't have to put up with nonsense like this.

It's been a long time since people like John Davidson were locked up because people like yourself and some other ignorant people on this thread, didn't understand the disability.

Fortunately times have moved on.

I think it is important that what he said was left in.
He is attending a ceremony that is honoring a film about his life and how difficult it has been due to his tourettes.
If we didn't hear him say that, we wouldn't be on here discussing it and going on to educate ourselves more about the condition.

I used to work with a girl who had tourettes and I would see her physically trying to stop herself saying things.

People with these disabilities just want acceptance. The fact that he left straight after saying that word shows how mortified he felt.

I feel awful for Lindo and Jordan because that word is disgusting but hopefully they will be able to see that it didn't come from a place of hate.

Jesus

I don't think he was being racist. I think he couldn't help it.

I really doubt they go around hurling racial slurs at others.