Tourette's Advocate Seeks Video Link for Scottish Baftas After Slur Incident
John Davidson, whose film is nominated for multiple awards, requests to attend the ceremony remotely following a racial slur incident at the Bafta Film Awards.
Tourette's campaigner John Davidson has requested to watch the upcoming Scottish Baftas ceremony via video link, months after shouting a racial slur during the Bafta Film Awards in February. Davidson's film, "I Swear," which chronicles his experiences with Tourette syndrome in 1980s Scotland, has secured seven nominations for the Scottish Baftas.
The film had previously won three awards at the Bafta Film Awards in London. However, that event was marred when Davidson, whose Tourette's causes involuntary tics, uttered the N-word while presenters Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. The BBC later issued an apology for not editing out the slur from its broadcast and its subsequent availability on BBC iPlayer.
Bafta Scotland has stated that it has collaborated with safeguarding and inclusion specialists to ensure Davidson's participation in the upcoming ceremony in Glasgow "in the safest way possible for all." Davidson, recognized with an MBE in 2019 for his advocacy for Tourette's awareness, has proposed attending from a separate room within the venue, accompanied by his family and friends.
Davidson, from Galashiels, had vocalized loudly multiple times before and during the February ceremony. He later expressed deep regret, stating he was "deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning." He added that he had dedicated his life to supporting the Tourette's community and promoting empathy, kindness, and understanding, and intended to continue this work. He chose to leave the auditorium early due to the distress his tics were causing.
At the time of the incident, Bafta commended Davidson for his "dignity and consideration of others." The organization took full responsibility for the difficult situation and issued an apology to all guests, vowing to learn from the experience and maintain inclusion at the forefront of its operations.
"I Swear" stars Peter Mullan, Robert Aramayo, Scott Ellis Watson, and Shirley Henderson are among the nominees for this year's Scottish Baftas. In the Actor Television category, nominations include Dougray Scott for "Summerwater," Jack Lowden for "Slow Horses," Peter Capaldi for "Criminal Record," and Robert Carlyle for "The Hack." The Netflix crime drama "Dept Q" and BBC comedy "Dinosaur" each received three nominations, with "Dept Q's" Leah Byrne also nominated for an Audience Award. The winners are scheduled to be announced on November 15 in Glasgow, with broadcaster Edith Bowman hosting the event.