BAFTA awards outburst sparks debate on Tourette’s syndrome after racial slur incident

An incident at the Bafta awards has triggered global debate about Tourette’s syndrome, involuntary speech and the stigma surrounding neurological conditions after a racial slur was shouted during the ceremony.

The moment unfolded while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award, when audience member John Davidson — a Tourette’s syndrome awareness advocate — had a vocal outburst.

Davidson, whose life inspired a film that won at the ceremony, reportedly left the venue afterwards and is said to be deeply distressed by the incident.

The moment has sparked questions about whether such language can truly be involuntary, and whether broadcasters should have edited the clip before transmission.

What Tourette’s syndrome is — and what it isn’t

Psychiatrist Professor Renata Schoeman explained that Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition with genetic roots that affects brain circuits responsible for controlling speech and movement.

“It’s a biological condition where there is a change in certain areas of the brain which help us monitor our speech, not to just speak impulsively,” she said.

Diagnosis requires both motor and vocal tics lasting longer than a year, usually beginning in childhood and peaking around the age of 10.

Schoeman stressed that swearing is not typical of most people with Tourette’s.

“Only about one in 10 will have what we call coprolalia, and that is the obscenities that involuntarily can be displayed.”

Why a racial slur can occur involuntarily

The incident has led to public debate about whether such words must already exist in a person’s subconscious to emerge as a tic.

Schoeman said the condition is better understood as a failure of the brain’s ability to suppress impulses.

“We all have vocabularies in our heads. We just have the ability to suppress it,” she said.

“If that pathway in your brain is not helping you to suppress it, we need to understand that it’s not a voluntary production.”

She added that tics often worsen during stress or emotional intensity, both of which are common at high-profile public events.

“There might have been a trigger in the environment, and because of the malfunction in the brain, it cannot be suppressed.”

Media portrayal and public misunderstanding

Schoeman said Tourette’s syndrome is often misunderstood because popular culture focuses on swearing rather than more common symptoms such as throat-clearing, sniffing or repetitive sounds.

“It often takes a long time before it’s diagnosed, because people think Tourette’s is only the swearing portrayed in the media.”

She warned that this misunderstanding can lead to stigma, delayed diagnosis and even punishment of children for behaviour linked to the disorder.

Families say support is crucial

A caller who shared personal experience with Tourette’s said the condition can be difficult for both individuals and families.

“I think it causes immense stress in those individuals, and it’s necessary to give as much support as possible,” the caller said.

A wider debate beyond the ceremony

While outrage over the slur remains strong, the incident has also sparked a broader discussion about neurological conditions, public understanding and how broadcasters handle sensitive moments.

Experts say the controversy highlights the need for better awareness of Tourette’s syndrome, and a more nuanced understanding of how involuntary speech works.

For more detailed information, listen to Schoeman using the audio player below: