Tourette's campaigner John Davidson says watching Bafta Scotland awards remotely was his own idea

From the Newshound archive · first published 3 October 2026.

John Davidson, the Tourette's campaigner whose life story inspired the film 'I Swear', will watch the Bafta Scotland Awards on November 15 via video link from a dedicated relaxed space after his involuntary N-word outburst at February's London ceremony. Davidson, from Galashiels, pushed back at suggestions he was being sidelined, insisting the arrangement was entirely his own suggestion made during consultations with Bafta. 'I Swear' has received seven Bafta Scotland nominations, including three in the best film actor category.

Davidson said Bafta 'bent over backwards' to accommodate him and he will experience the ceremony on a large screen with family and friends.

The February incident, in which Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented an award, sparked fury after the BBC reportedly failed to censor it during broadcast despite a two-hour time delay.

The Bafta Scotland ceremony will be held in Glasgow on November 15, hosted by Edith Bowman, with Peter Mullan also nominated for an audience award.