Tourette’s Advocate John Davidson Apologizes for the ‘Pain’ and ‘Upset’ Caused by His Racial Slur at the BAFTAs

Escher WalcottMon, March 2, 2026 at 3:45 PM UTC

0

John Davidson, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy LindoCredit: Aurore Marechal/BAFTA/Getty; Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty -

Tourette's syndrome advocate John Davidson yelled a racial slur while Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan were on stage at the BAFTAs on Feb. 22

On Sunday, March 1, Davidson revealed in a Facebook post that he's had a "difficult week" following the incident

“Whilst I will never apologize for having Tourette syndrome, I will apologize for any pain, upset and misunderstanding that it may create,” Davidson wrote

Tourette's Syndrome advocate John Davidson is apologizing for the distress caused by his yelling a racial slur at the 2026 BAFTA Awards.

Davidson, 52, yelled the n-word as Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award onstage during the ceremony on Feb. 22. In a Facebook post on March 1, Davidson apologized for the televised incident, while acknowledging the mixed reaction from viewers.

“I’ve been waiting all week until the dust settles after the weekend at the BAFTAs in London,” he wrote. “I would like to thank each and every one of you who have shown love, support and solidarity towards myself and the rest of the Tourette’s Community.

"Your kind words and support have got me through a very difficult week," Davidson continued.

Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo on stage at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards on Feb. 22Credit: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty

He added, “Whilst I will never apologize for having Tourette syndrome, I will apologize for any pain, upset and misunderstanding that it may create."

Davidson attended the BAFTAs to represent the film I Swear, which is based on his life and experiences with Tourette's syndrome. In his Facebook post, he said the days since the racial slur incident have been “tough” as he also opened up about his condition.

“This past week has been tough and it has reminded me that what I do raising awareness for such a misunderstood condition, there is still a long way to go and I will keep on keeping on until this is achieved,” he wrote, adding, “Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou I love you all.”

Advertisement

Davidson’s apology came just hours after Lindo, 73, publicly addressed the BAFTAs slur incident onstage at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, Feb. 28.

“....We appreciate all the support and love we have been shown in the aftermath of what happened last weekend. It means a lot to us,” Lindo said, while presenting an award with Sinners director Ryan Coogler.

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter at the ceremony, Sinners actress Jayme Lawson criticized BAFTAs and the BBC, which aired the expletive on the award show, for being “careless” in their disregard of Jordan, 39, and Lindo.

“I’ll first say a big shout-out to Mike and Delroy. Let's continue to honor them for how they handled that in real time, the grace and the dignity that they exercised,” said Lawson, 28.

“The events this weekend exposed a couple of things. Institutionally, we still don't understand what inclusion means,” she continued. “...You invite someone into a space, but you don't provide the necessary resources to keep them and everyone else in that room safe by them being there. That's not inclusivity, that’s exploitation.”

“That man's disability got exploited that night. And it led to multiple offenses. That's the BAFTAs fault. And then the BBC to air what they aired is careless … a real lack of care was exercised for those two black men,” said Lawson “...You want to celebrate our art, but you won't protect [us].”

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”