BAFTA Tourette sufferer issues ‘be kind’ message after BBC apologises over tics

Tourettes campaigner John Davidson told how he was bullied and assaulted for his condition ahead of the BAFTA’s on Sunday night.

Davidson was at the star-studded ceremony to support multi-nominated movie I Swear, which starred Robert Aramayo playing him. The biopic tells the story of Davidson’s life life growing up with Tourette syndrome in Scotland.

During the awards, Davidson was heard shouting expletives from the audience including a racial slur when actors and Sinners castmates Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo spoke on stage. Jordon and Lindo continued their segment after only missing a beat, and Variety later reported that Davidson went onto left the ceremony of his own volition.

According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes sudden, repetitive sounds or movements, known as tics. While there is no cure, treatment can help manage the tics.

Before the incident with Jordan and Lindo, Mr Davidson had also shouted “shut the f*** up” and “boring” during BAFTA chair Sarah Putt’s speech and “f*** you” when the directors of “Boong,” accepted their award for best children’s and family film.

The BBC has since issued an apology for any offence.

Before the show, Mr Davidson said he hoped his film would raise awareness of people to understand his condition and to ‘be kind.’

Speaking to the Press Association he said: “The power that the film’s got is the fact that it’s opened people’s eyes to the real issues.

“Being assaulted, being put out of school, being bullied at school, a lot of people have never seen that side of what my life was like. People at the time didn’t notice because in those days, in the 80s and 90s, people didn’t really want to know.

“I think now, as we’ve developed as a country and as a human race, we’re becoming more empathetic towards neurodiversity and all different kinds of disability, which is something that should be happening but a lot quicker.

“We didn’t want it to be a pity memoir and that you feel sorry for us, because we don’t want people feeling sorry for me. I don’t. Everyone with Tourette’s don’t – they just want the awareness of people to understand and be kind.”

His sentiments were echoed by actor Robert Aramayo, who played him in the movie. Speaking after the ceremony, actor Robert was asked by the BBC for his take on the situation. A reporter told him: “You could hear him shouting and words people find offensive.”

Robert replied: “First of all the are tics. He is ticking. We have to understand. The way we perceive Tourette’s is a joint responsibility. It’s not shouting obscenities. It’s not being abusive. Its Tourettes. They are tics. If it can lead to a deeper understanding of Tourettes, and movies are part of that conversation, then it’s an incredible thing.”

The film was nominated for six Baftas, including Outstanding British Film, while Aramayo is in the running for both best lead actor and EE Rising Star award.

I Swear filmmaker Kirk Jones has said he did not ask Robert Aramayo to audition for the lead role because he knew the actor was right for the part “very early on”.

Speaking about Aramayo on the red carpet of the 79th British Academy Film Awards, Jones said: “I knew Robert was right for the part very early on, and because the finance was structured in a certain way, I was able to cast him without having to justify that decision or ask for people’s permission to do it – which is the purest way to cast the film. That’s how it should be done.”

Jones emphasised the need to tell the story properly, adding he did not want to “water it down” because I Swear is the type of film people “need” right now. Speaking about the response to the film and its multiple Bafta nominations, he said: “I just think it hit a note. I just think it hit a chord.

“Maybe five years ago if we’d have made it, it wouldn’t have done, or maybe five years’ time, but I think we’re kind of at a place in the world now where everything’s so kind of depressing and upsetting and it’s a very hopeful film, and it’s about a man who never gives up.

“It’s the kind of film that we need at the moment to remind us about compassion and support for an understanding of other people.”

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