Jamie Foxx has weighed in on the moment a Tourette’s syndrome activist shouted the N-word during last night’s BAFTAs (February 22).
Film and TV stars gathered in London on Saturday for this year’s BAFTAs, hosted by Alan Cumming.
As is typical at major awards shows, a number of high-profile guests took to the stage to present trophies. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo introduced the first award of the evening.
However, while the duo were speaking, John Davidson — whose experience living with Tourette’s syndrome was portrayed in the 2025 film I Swear, which was nominated multiple times — yelled the N-word from the audience.
Davidson, who has tics as part of his condition, also had other interruptions during the ceremony, including shouting ‘shut the f**k up’ and ‘f**k you’.
The slur was caught on the broadcast, with Cumming later addressing the moment and offering an apology.
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background,” he said. “This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience.”
Cumming added: “Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
A Tourette’s syndrome charity subsequently defended Davidson, though not everyone accepted the explanation for what happened.
Jamie Foxx reacted online to the incident involving Jordan and Lindo, writing: “Out of all the words, you could’ve said, Tourette’s makes you say that?”
He added: “Nah, he meant that sh*t. Unacceptable.”
Other viewers argued that any statements made on the night should have focused directly on Jordan and Lindo.
Elsewhere, criticism was directed at the BBC for airing the moment in its broadcast.
The ceremony was shown on BBC One around two hours after the live event, leading some to question why the clip wasn’t removed prior to transmission.
In response, a BBC spokesperson said: “We apologize that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.”
Robert Aramayo, who played Davidson in I Swear and won two BAFTAs during the night, also spoke about Davidson’s tics after the ceremony.
“They’re tics, he [Davidson] is ticking, and we have to understand that the way we perceive Tourette’s is a joint responsibility,” he told BBC News after the event.
“It’s not shouting obscenities, it’s not being abusive, it’s Tourette’s and they’re tics.”