BAFTA’s scandal: what is Tourette syndrome, what are tics and why are people angry?

Tourette’s activist John Davidson, who inspired a BAFTA-winning film, says he is “deeply hurt” after shouting racial slurs at the awards ceremony in London, which he claims was caused by an “involuntary tic”.

He was heard shouting the N-word as Sinners actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan, who are both black, presented an award for special visual effects during Sunday night’s ceremony.

“I am and have always been deeply hurt if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to have any meaning,” Davidson, the real-life inspiration behind the film I Swear, said in a statement to the PA news agency.

He added that he “chose” to leave the venue during the ceremony “because I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.”

“I have spent my life trying to support and strengthen the Tourette community and teach others empathy, kindness and understanding, and I will continue to do so,” he said.

So what is Tourette syndrome, what are tics, and why did Davidson’s words at the BAFTAs make such a splash?

What is Tourette Syndrome?

Tourette syndrome, or TS, is a neurological disorder that can cause involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations called tics.

TS belongs to a group of conditions called tic disorders.

According to the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia, TS usually begins between the ages of two and 21 and lasts throughout life.

The condition is not degenerative and people with TS can expect a normal lifespan, the organization says.

In Australia, Tourette syndrome affects about 50,000 people and about one percent of school-age children, with one in four experiencing lifelong symptoms, says The Kids Research Institute Australia.

Research published last June by the institute and UNSW Sydney found that patients can face bullying, discrimination, misunderstandings and exhaustion that often leads to despair.

“One in two children with a tic-related disorder has thought about ending their life, while one in 10 children and one in four affected adults have attempted suicide,” the institute said in a statement accompanying the study’s publication.

Many also struggle with an accurate diagnosis and good support.

Why are so many people angry about the BAFTAs?

The BBC has not removed the offensive language from the broadcast, which was shown on a two-hour delay on Sunday evening.

As a result, a clip of the racist slurs shouted during the ceremony quickly went viral and sparked online backlash.

This prompted a rapid series of apologies from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, actor Alan Cumming, who hosted the ceremony, and the BBC over the language viewers may have heard during the broadcast.

The British Film Awards apologized for the “highly offensive language which has caused incomparable trauma and pain for so many”.

“Tourette syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, over which the individual has no control,” the report said.

“Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time and we apologize unreservedly to them and anyone affected.”

The BBC removed the words from the version that aired on its streaming service on Monday morning.

“We apologize that this was not removed before broadcast and will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer,” the news organization said.

Props to Davidson

A spokesperson for the charity Tourettes Action said they “deeply” understood the offense and harm caused by racist comments.

But they said it was “critical 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 Tourette’s disease may say words or phrases that they do not mean, that they do not agree with and feel very sad about it afterwards,” the spokesperson added.

The charity added that they were “incredibly proud” of Davidson and others involved in the film.

British actor Robert Aramayo, who played Davidson in the film, triumphed over established stars Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio to win the award for best actor.

Davidson has said his life in a small Scottish town has been irrevocably changed by the condition.

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