I Swear's John Davidson asks to watch Scots Baftas ceremony in room via video link after racial slur row

Published: 14:43 EDT, 1 October 2026 | Updated: 14:43 EDT, 1 October 2026 Tourette's campaigner John Davidson has asked if he can watch next month’s Scottish Baftas via video link in a private room after he involuntarily shouted a racial slur during an awards ceremony earlier this year.The movie I Swear, which depicts his Mr Davidson’s experiences of growing up with the disorder in the Borders during the 1980s, has been nominated for seven Scottish Baftas.It bagged three gongs at the Bafta Film Awards in February but the event was marred by controversy after Mr Davidson – whose condition involves involuntary tics – shouted the N-word at presenters Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo during the ceremony.He chose to leave early and later said he was ‘deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or carry any meaning’.At the time, he issued a statement, saying: ‘I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others, and I will continue to do so.’The BBC apologised for failing to edit out the slur from its BBC One broadcast, which was shown on a two-hour delay and remained on BBC iPlayer until the next day. John Davidson at Bafta Film Awards in London Mr Davidson, whose condition involves involuntary tics, shouted the N-word at presenters Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo during the ceremony Shirley Henderson and Robert Aramayo in I SwearMr Davidson later disclosed he had been assured by Bafta bosses ‘any swearing would be edited out of the broadcast’.He told Variety: ‘I’ve made four documentaries with the BBC in the past, and feel they should have been aware of what to expect from Tourette’s and worked harder to prevent anything I said – which, after all, was some 40 rows back from the stage – from being included in the broadcast.‘There was a microphone just in front of me in the auditorium and, with hindsight, I have to question whether this was wise, so close to where I was seated, knowing I would tic.’Bafta shared an ‘unreserved apology’ for the ‘very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many’.The BBC announced a ‘fast-tracked investigation’ into the ‘serious mistake’ following criticism of its handling of the events.Bafta Scotland said Mr Davidson, who was awarded an MBE in 2019 for his work in raising awareness of the disorder, has suggested he could watch proceedings next month from a separate room at the venue with his family and friends.It added it had worked with safeguarding and inclusion experts to ensure Mr Davidson, from Galashiels, could take part in the ceremony ‘in the safest way possible for all’.This comes as Bafta Scotland announced its full list of nominees for the red-carpet event, hosted by broadcaster Edith Bowman, in Glasgow on November 15.I Swear received the highest number of nominations, with Peter Mullan, Robert Aramayo, Scott Ellis Watson and Shirley Henderson all up for Best Actor or Actress in a Film. It was followed by Dept. Q and Dinosaur, each with three nominations.In the Actor Television category, Jack Lowden got a nomination for his role in Slow Horses; Dougray Scott for Summerwater; Peter Capaldi for Criminal Record; and Robert Carlyle for The Hack. The Actress Television category features Ashley Storrie for Dinosaur; Chloe Pirrie for Dept. Q; Emma Laird for Mint; and Lucy Halliday for The Testaments.Other categories recognise behind-the-scenes talent with awards including Director Factual and Director Fiction.Previously announced Audience Award nominations included Ncuti Gatwa for Doctor Who; Katie Leung for Bridgerton; and Stephen Libby for The Traitors.