Featured Image Credit: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Druski/BBC
Topics: Baftas, Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan, Celebrity, News, Viral
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Baftas, Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan, Celebrity, News, Viral
Jamie Foxx has weighed in on the moment a Tourette's syndrome activist shouted the N-word during last night's BAFTAs (February 22).
Celebs from far and wide flocked to London yesterday for this year's BAFTAs, which was hosted by Alan Cumming.
Like most awards ceremonies, Hollywood stars are invited to hand out awards to the winners, and Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first prize of the night.
But, as the pair were up on stage, John Davidson, whose life story about having Tourette's syndrome was depicted in the 2025 film I Swear and was up for a handful of awards last night, shouted the N-word at them.
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Davidson, who suffers with tics as part of his condition, had other outbursts during the ceremony including shouting 'shut the f**k up' and 'f**k you'.
Davidson's N-word slur was picked up by the cameras, which Cumming went on to apologize for.
"You may have noticed some strong language in the background," he said. "This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience."
Cumming added: "Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone."
A Tourette's syndrome charity has spoken out in Davidson's defense, but not everyone has taken as kindly to his condition.
Reacting to the outburst that appeared to be aimed at Jordan and Lindo, Jamie Foxx penned on social media: "Out of all the words, you could've said, Tourette's makes you say that?"
He added: "Nah, he meant that sh*t. Unacceptable."
Others argued that the apologies that were made should have been directed to Jordan and Lindo.
Elsewhere people have aimed their backlash at the BBC for airing the moment Davidson said the slur.
The broadcaster showed the ceremony on BBC One two hours after it happened, which could have given them time to edit it out.
Addressing the criticism, a BBC spokesperson said: "We apologize that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer."
Robert Aramayo, who portrayed Davidson in I Swear and took home two BAFTAs last night, has addressed Davidson's tics.
"They're tics, he [Davidson] is ticking, and we have to understand that the way we perceive Tourette's is a joint responsibility," he told BBC News after the event.
"It's not shouting obscenities, it's not being abusive, it's Tourette's and they're tics."