Jamie Foxx reacts to Tourette's activist John Davidson's BAFTA controversy with bold statement

Jamie Foxx had a stern reaction to Tourette's campaigner, John Davidson, whose outburst at the 2026 BAFTAs on February 22 went viral. 

The BBC were forced to apologize after John — who inspired the critically-acclaimed film, I Swear, about a man living with Tourette syndrome — was believed to have directed a racial slur at Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan who were presenting an award on stage. 

John previously yelled other expletives and decided to remove himself from the BAFTAS of own accord. 

© Rodin Eckenroth

However, despite the host, Alan Cumming, addressing the "offensive language," and explaining the condition leads to "involuntary" tics, Jamie believes otherwise. 

The Hollywood actor shared his thoughts with The Neighborhood Talk and insisted: "Nah, he meant that [expletive]." He added: "Out of all the words, you could've said Tourette's makes you say that?" before he added: "Unacceptable."

Apology issued 

© Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Im

During the ceremony, Alan Cumming briefly paused proceedings to apologize to viewers for any offensive language they may hear. 

"You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight," he said. "If you have seen the film I Swear, you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette syndrome.

"Tourette syndrome is a disability and the tics you have heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourette syndrome has no control over their language. We apologise if you were offended."

© Getty Images for BAFTA

I Swear tells the true story of John, a Scottish campaigner for Tourette syndrome, who was in the audience for at least part of the ceremony. The film's star Robert Aramayo picked up two awards on Sunday night: the Leading Actor award and the EE Rising Star award. 

A source told Best Quality Designer Handbag : "The auditorium fell completely silent during the speeches, making the sudden outbursts clearly audible. The reaction in the room was one of visible shock, yet no one openly responded."

Why wasn't it bleeped out?

© Getty Images

Despite the show being aired on a two-hour delay, the swearing and racial slurs were not cut, adding to the fury over the incident.

Speaking on Times Radio, vice chairman of Tourettes Action, Ed Palmer, said the BBC should have considered bleeping out the slur.

He said: “This is really one of the most acute examples of where something that is a disability can cause quite understandably huge amounts of offence to someone.

"So, if it’s being pre-recorded now, then bleeping it out, for example, might be a reasonable compromise. But I think it has to be taken on a case-by-case kind of decision and scenario.

“But I’m very, very mindful of the people that would have quite understandably been hugely offended by whatever word was said, or an offensive word that’s used by somebody with tics and Tourette's."

What is Tourette syndrome?

Tourette syndrome is "a condition that causes you to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements (tics). There is no cure, but treatment can help manage the tics," according to the NHS.

Tics involving sounds may include sniffing, whistling, clearing your throat a lot, making animal sounds, repeating a sound, word or phrase, or swearing. 

Tics can be triggered by different things including stress, excitement, or tiredness.