Former Premier League striker Stan Collymore has delivered his thoughts on a controversial moment from last night’s Bafta Awards.
Tourette’s syndrome campaigner John Davidson, whose life story inspired the Bafta-nominated film I Swear, experienced multiple involuntary outbursts during Sunday evening’s ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
The 54-year-old activist’s tics were audible throughout the first portion of the awards show, prompting host Alan Cumming to pause proceedings and address the audience directly.
Cumming told attendees: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and for helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
The row has divided social media users, sparking the response from Stan Collymore.
The former striker said: “It can be both true that a racist slur at a public event causes distress and harm with those on the receiving elaborating their upset, while simultaneously acknowledging the person saying the slur has an involuntary, diagnosed and well understood condition( corpolalia) that is recognised in law by the Disability Act, with those having the condition fully protected by it, rather than being outed by a Twitter mob as a ‘racist in truth letting their true feelings out’.
“Some people need to watch ‘John’s not mad.'”
Throughout the evening, Mr Davidson’s vocal tics included expletives shouted during Bafta chair Sara Putt’s opening address and during the presentation of the children’s film winner Boong.
Stan Collymore has delivered his thoughts on a controversial moment from last night’s Bafta Awards
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A particularly notable moment occurred when actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the visual effects prize to Avatar: The Way of Water, during which Mr Davidson was heard shouting a racial slur.
Mr Cumming later offered a fuller explanation to viewers: “Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability, and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette’s Syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you are offended tonight.”
Several social media users agreed with the sportsman’s remarks.
One user wrote on X: “Acknowledge the harm caused by the word. Reject labeling someone as morally racist if the utterance was involuntary. Support disability protections without dismissing the impact on others.
BBC
Another said: “It isn’t that well understood when looking at the responses to it.
“Some really popular black figures are labelling the bloke a closet racist, that is the sort of language which can easily push people over the edge.”
A third added: “Well said Stan but there was an answer to all of this.
“It should have been edited out.”
John Davidson was invited to this year’s Baftas | PA
The BBC apologised on Monday following the incident.
Mr Davidson first came to public attention through the 1989 BBC documentary John’s Not Mad, which introduced millions of viewers to the realities of living with the neurological condition.
He began experiencing symptoms aged 12 but received his diagnosis only at 25, spending years facing confusion and social isolation before understanding his condition.
The biographical film depicting his journey, written, directed, and produced by Kirk Jones, secured five Bafta nominations on the night, including outstanding British film, original screenplay, and supporting actor for Peter Mullan.