Tourettes

SINNERS star Delroy Lindo said he appreciates the “love and support” he has received after the N-word was shouted while he was on stage at last week’s Baftas.

The 73-year-old actor and co-star Michael B Jordan were presenting an award when Tourette’s sufferer John Davidson involuntarily blurted out the racial slur.

Lindo addressed the controversy while on stage at the NAACP Image Awards in California on Saturday.

The British-born actor said: “We appreciate – I appreciate – all of the support and love we have been shown in the aftermath of what happened last weekend, it means a lot to us.

“It is an honour to be here amongst our people this evening, amongst so many people who have shown us such incredible support.

“And it’s a classic case of something that could’ve been very negative becoming very positive.

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“Thank you so much for the support.”

Lindo praised the ceremony as “a room where being fully seen is not rare, but it is expected”.

Campaigner John said he was “deeply mortified” by what happened.

Jordan and Lindo were acknowledged by actress Regina Hall as she presented the first award of the night.

Hall, best known for appearing in the Scary Movie franchise, said: “I just want to take a moment to the two kings who are in this audience and just send you so much love for your class.”

The 57th NAACP Image Awards were held in Pasadena and hosted by actor and comedian Deon Cole.

Cole took aim at the Bafta incident, joking: “If there are any white men out here in the audience with Tourette’s, I advise you to tell them they can read the room tonight.”

TOURETTES campaigner John Davidson said he was mortified after sparking a race row by shouting out the N-word at the Baftas. 

John later voluntarily left the ceremony amid shock at his swearing as Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were on stage presenting an award. 

But the slur by John — whose life inspired the double gong-winning film I Swear — wasn’t cut from the BBC’s two-hour ceremony coverage at London’s Royal Festival Hall. 

Yesterday, bosses apologised and removed the episode from iPlayer. 

Last night John insisted he was “mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning”. 

And Bafta confirmed he left the room before the awards ended. 

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In statement the organisation said: “Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people. 

“Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted.

“We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism. 

“John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen and we would like to thank him for his consideration of others on what should have been a night of celebration for him.” 

I Swear saw ­Robert Aramayo, 33, pick up Best Actor. It also won Best Casting. 

Scottish-born John, 54, is a campaigner for Tourette sufferers and aged 16 was the subject of a BBC documentary, John’s Not Mad, about living with the condition, which leads some to shout swear words. 

The Sun understands that Sunday night’s audience was not told a ­person with Tourette Syndrome was present.

Previously, at the Bafta TV awards, people have been warned in similar situations. 

A source said: “Neither host Alan Cumming nor any of the Bafta team warned people — the apology and comments came after the outbursts.” 

Cumming had said: “Tourette Syndrome is a disability. We apologise if you’re offended tonight.” 

Hannah Beachler, the production designer on movie Sinners, said: “What made the ­situation worse was the throwaway apology of, ‘if you were offended’. Of course we were.” 

It was reported BBC production staff did not hear the N-word — which meant it was left in the coverage.

However, a source added: “It was as loud and as clear as day.” 

The corporation said: “Some may have heard strong and offensive language.

“This arose from involuntary ­verbal tics associated with ­Tourette’s and, as explained during the ­ceremony, it was not intentional. 

“We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast.” 

JAMIE Foxx has claimed an audience member with Tourettes who shouted a slur at the Baftas “meant it” despite a charity saying it was “not intentional”.

John Davidson, who suffers from Tourette syndrome, let out involuntary shouts including a racial slur due to his condition during the ceremony.

The incident happened at the 79th annual British Academy Film Awards, which took place at the Royal Festival Hall last night.

The slur was shouted as actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan presented the award for special visual effects.

The actors, both stars of vampire horror Sinners, appeared to pause momentarily after the insult was heard but then continued presenting.

But Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx has now blasted John Davidson for his “unacceptable” outburst at the BAFTAs.

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A fuming Foxx said on social media: “Out of all the words you could’ve said Tourette’s makes you say that. Nah he meant that s**t. Unacceptable.” 

The outburst, which was one of many unintentional interruptions, was explained as coming from John, who has Tourette syndrome.

John’s life story inspired the film I Swear which shares John’s journey from his diagnosis before much was known about the condition.

However, campaigners staunchly defended John after his outburst after criticism from Foxx.

Tourettes Action charity said: “We also want to address the negative comments that have surfaced following John’s involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony.

“We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but, at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome, tics are involuntary.

“They are not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions or character.

“People with Tourettes can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse and feel great distress about afterwards.

“These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John – like many others with Tourettes – lives with every single day.”

The title is a nod to his uncontrollable swearing associated with the syndrome.

Earlier, the BBC apologised for the slur after some viewers were left shocked.

And the episode has now been pulled off BBC iPlayer after initial outrage.

The Beeb has confirmed the slur will be edited out of the version uploaded.

A BBC spokesperson said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards.

“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.

“We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”

During the broadcast, the awards ceremony’s presenter Alan Cumming also issued an apology for the language viewers may hear.

He said: “You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film I Swear, you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome.

“Tourettes is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language.

“We apologise if you were offended.”

But the BBC sparked major backlash after the broadcaster edited out “Free Palestine” during one speech but declined to remove the racial slur at first.

The broadcaster removed the Palestine reference after an acceptance speech made by filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr paid tribute to those who are trying to “obtain a better life for their children”.

Davies Jr. closed his speech by saying: “To the economic migrant. The conflict migrant. Those under occupation, dictatorship, persecution, and those experiencing genocide. You matter.

“Your stories matter more than ever. Your dreams are an act of resistance to those watching at home.  

“Archive your loved ones. Archive your stories yesterday, today, and forever. For Nigeria, for London, the Congo, Sudan, free Palestine.”

Good Morning Britain star Susanna Reid has been criticised for the comments she made about Tourettes syndrome, with some branding it a ‘totally uncaring, stupid and dismissive’ remark

Susanna Reid has been slammed by ITV viewers for a “totally uncaring, stupid and dismissive” remark about Tourette syndrome during a discussion on Good Morning Britain.

The presenter has come under fire for comments she made whilst discussing John Davidson, a Tourette’s campaigner who had his life serialised in new movie I Swear. Actor Robert Aramayo played the role of John in the movie, which he won Best Actor for last night.

During the BAFTAs last night, as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award, John was heard shouting “shut the f**k up” and “boring” at the actors before using the N-word.

Now, Susanna Reid has been criticised for her comments about Tourettes whilst discussing the news. She said that she was still “thinking about the language'” and branded it “completely unacceptable”.

She referenced that people with Tourettes couldn’t control their ticks, but added: “There’s plenty of people watching who say, ‘Why should a racial slur ever be accepted or simply brushed away?'”

Ed then said: ‘There’s two different issues. If this racial slur was said at the awards ceremony, it shouldn’t have been broadcast. The guy who has Tourette’s – apologising for his disability is not fair or right. It’s not in his control. If it was me, I would have bleeped out the racial slur and not had the apology.”

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Susanna added: “But it’s absolutely vital that you apologise for it. A racial slur is always something, presumably, that needs to be apologised for.” Ed then replied: “They ought to have apologised for having it on the programme, but apologising for the gentleman with Tourette’s, you can’t apologise for his disability.”

Fans of the ITV show fumed over Susanna’s comment, with one writing: “The actor in the film regarding Tourette’s wins an award but Susanna states that we need to apologise for the consequence of that disability in real life.” Another added: “You shouldn’t apologise for #TouretteSyndrome, it can’t be helped. You should never apologise for an illness…no one asked to have the illness.”

Yesterday, at the awards, host Alan Cumming addressed the comments. He told the audience: “You may have heard some strong offensive language tonight, but if you’ve seen the film I Swear, it’s about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome.

“It is a disability and the ticks you have heard tonight are involuntary that means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language and we apologise if it has caused offence.”

A BBC spokesperson added: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards 2026. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard.”

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