Sony bosses ‘mortified’ by John Davidson’s racial slur at the Baftas

Following last night’s Baftas, Sony Pictures bosses are said to be in ‘panic mode’ after recently acquiring distribution rights for I Swear.

The movie is based on the real story of Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson, who was diagnosed with the neurological disorder aged 25.

Davidson, 54, who has become an ambassador for the condition, experiences a range of symptoms, including tics, coprolalia, echolalia, sudden and violent body movements, and severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Robert Aramayo, 33, plays him in the biopic, starring alongside Maxine Peake for a poignant depiction of Davidson’s struggles growing up in 1980s Scotland, when society did not understand Tourette’s.

Davidson was present last night as the biographical drama won big at the 79th Baftas in London, but became a headline himself after a string of outbursts during the ceremony.

At one point, host Alan Cumming thanked the audience for showing ‘understanding’ and creating a space of ‘respect’ as he apologised for potentially offensive language after Davidson shouted expletives.

Davidson was also heard yelling the N-word when Sinners actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo took the stage to present an award, a moment that wasn’t edited out of the BBC’s broadcast, which was not live.

The incident has sparked widespread online discussion, with names like Wendell Pierce and Jamie Fox calling it ‘unacceptable’, leaving Sony bosses anxious ahead of I Swear’s release in America this April.

An industry source told Metro: ‘Sony Pictures bosses were at the Baftas last night and looked mortified after John’s racial outburst.

‘They only just bought the rights to distribute the movie outside of the UK, so the entire industry knows that they will be in panic mode.’

A TV expert added: ‘This couldn’t have happened at a worse time because I Swear is supposed to come out in the US in a few weeks.

‘The news has already travelled to the US via the African-American-led blogs, and people are already talking about a boycott.’

Sony Pictures announced in October last year that they had purchased the rights to the Kirk Jones-directed film, which won best casting and leading actor for Aramayo last night. Davidson also serves as an executive producer on the movie.

Following the announcement, filmmaker Jones – who also directed Nanny McPhee (2005) and What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012) – said: ‘I am thrilled to partner with Sony Pictures Classics on I Swear.

‘Their history, vision, ambition, and passion for what is a very special project for us feels like a perfect fit for US and additional territories.’

Sony Pictures Classics also hailed I Swear as ‘one of those extraordinary, one-of-a-kind, true-to-life movies’, describing it as ’emotionally engaging, funny, and compelling’.

‘Directed to perfection by Kirk Jones with amazing performances by Robert Aramayo and stalwarts Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, and Peter Mullan, I Swear will be adored by audiences everywhere,’ their statement included.

Davidson himself is yet to address last night’s outbursts, which Cumming informed the crowd he had ‘no control’ over and which heard him shout ‘shut the f**k up’ during a speech from Bafta chair Sara Putt and ‘f**k you’ when Arco’s directors walked on.

It’s been said that the audience was informed ahead of time that Davidson was present, as the floor manager introduced him by explaining: ‘John has Tourette’s syndrome, so please be aware you might hear some involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.’

He did not explicitly state examples of what might be heard; hence, Jordan and Lindo appeared stunned when the racial slur was used, before regaining composure and continuing with their segment.

The BBC has, however, issued an apology, telling NBC News after the awards ceremony: ‘Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards 2026.

‘This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard.’

Lead star Aramayo, whose emotional reaction to triumphing as lead actor over the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothee Chalamet went viral, was also full of praise for Davidson.

In the winners’ press room after bagging the EE rising star gong, too, the Behind Her Eyes star told Metro and other outlets: ‘I’m just really happy that I Swear has shone a spotlight on something that is really, really misunderstood. 

‘I think that there’s still a lot more education needed around Tourette’s and what it actually is and how we all, as a society, can help.’

He further explained that working on the project showed him how ‘complicated’ Tourette’s is and that it ‘requires us to have grace’.

Aramayo added: ‘It’s far more than – there’s lots of tics that people don’t see. There’s people who live with Tourette’s syndrome who you don’t know that they are because you think tics are a certain thing, but they’re not always like that. 

‘I think just for me, personally, what I learned straight away was that’s true, and it then made me passionate about wanting to spread that with the work.’

It’s been reported that Davidon left the Baftas, held at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, midway through, as his outbursts could not be heard in the ceremony’s second half.

He was an ‘invited guest’, having posed proudly on the red carpet with the cast and crew of I Swear, so it’s claimed he left of his own accord.

Ahead of the awards, Davidson was full of joy on the carpet as he told the Press Association that he is ‘extremely proud of what was created’ and the impact the film has had, calling Aramayo ‘phenomenal’.

‘We didn’t want it to be a pity memoir, and that you feel sorry for us, because we don’t want people feeling sorry for me,’ he insisted.

‘I don’t. Everyone with Tourette’s don’t – they just want the awareness of people to understand and be kind.’

Sony Pictures has been contacted for comment.

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