Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson says Bafta told him any swearing would be edited out of the broadcast'

"I have made four documentaries with the BBC in the past, and feel that they should have been aware of what to expect from Tourette's and worked harder to prevent anything that I said which, after all, was some 40 rows back from the stage from being included in the broadcast."

"Those who have seen I Swear will understand this. My tics have said and done things over the years that have caused huge pain and upset Tourette's can make my body or voice do things I don't mean, and sometimes those tics land on the worst possible words. I want to be really clear that the intent behind them is zero."

"I remember there was a microphone just in front of me, and with hindsight I have to question whether this was wise, so close to where I was seated."

John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome activist whose documentary I Swear was nominated at the Baftas, became the center of controversy when his involuntary outburst of the N-word was broadcast during the ceremony. Davidson claims Bafta and the BBC assured him that any swearing would be edited out before transmission. He argues both organizations should have anticipated potential offensive language given his condition and his previous work with the BBC. Davidson expressed deep distress over the incident, emphasizing that his tics produce words beyond his control and that his intent is never malicious. He questioned the placement of a microphone near his seat during the event.

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