Tourette’s campaigner explains ‘spiteful’ tics after Bafta racial slur incident

Health & Fitness
25 Feb 2026 • 3:43 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson clarified his involuntary tics at the Bafta Film Awards, stating that his shouts are "literally the last thing in the world I believe".
  • Davidson explained that the widely reported n-word tic was one of approximately 10 offensive words he involuntarily shouted during the event.
  • He noted that his tics are often triggered by what he sees or hears, a phenomenon known as echolalia, citing examples like homophobic tics and shouting "paedophile" in response to a joke.
  • Davidson expressed that Tourette's can feel "spiteful" and seeks out the most upsetting tics, emphasising that the words are the opposite of his personal beliefs.
  • He chose to leave the auditorium shortly after realising that actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan had heard his n-word tic from the stage.

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