John Davidson to watch BAFTA Scotland ceremony from separate venue space

John Davidson will watch the BAFTA Scotland ceremony from a separate venue space after the 2026 N-word controversy

Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson will attend the BAFTA Scotland Awards in Glasgow in November, but will watch the ceremony from a separate space within the venue following an earlier controversy at the BAFTA Film Awards.

Davidson, whose life inspired the film I Swear, involuntarily shouted a racial slur during the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony in February. The incident occurred while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the first award and subsequently became a major focus of discussion around the event.

I Swear has since received seven BAFTA Scotland nominations, marking the highest number of nominations for a film in the awards' history. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on November 15 in Glasgow.

According to Variety, BAFTA chair Sara Putt and CEO Jane Millichip informed members that the organisation had consulted Davidson, Tourettes Action and Tourette Scotland before deciding on arrangements for his attendance.

Davidson will watch the ceremony through a video link from a relaxed area inside the venue alongside family and friends. BAFTA said the arrangement followed discussions with Davidson and a wider risk assessment.

The British Academy also outlined changes made since the February incident, including strengthened safeguarding and risk assessment procedures, clearer communication and escalation processes, and additional briefings for people involved in live awards events.

An independent review commissioned after the controversy identified “structural weaknesses” in BAFTA's planning and crisis coordination but found no evidence of malicious intent or institutional racism.

BAFTA said it recognises that Davidson experiences coprolalia, a type of vocal tic associated with Tourette syndrome that can involve involuntary words or phrases. The organisation added that such vocalisations are neurological and do not reflect an individual's views or intentions.