Piers Morgan has entered the debate surrounding the BAFTAs controversy involving John Davidson, a man with Tourette’s syndrome, by criticizing Jamie Foxx’s comments.
During Sunday evening’s event, Davidson, whose life story served as the basis for the film “I Swear,” inadvertently shouted a racial slur while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the night’s first award at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
Criticism has been directed at BAFTA for not editing out the offensive remark, while social media users are divided over who to hold accountable. Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx called Davidson’s involuntary tic ‘unacceptable.’
On Wednesday, Piers Morgan took to Twitter, sharing a poster of “I Swear” and commented, “I watched this movie last night. It’s incredibly powerful and inspiring…”
He continued, “It might have been prudent for those commenting on the BAFTA N-word incident to watch it first before making uninformed statements. I’m talking to you, Jamie Foxx!”
Piers Morgan has weighed in on the BAFTAs controvery surrounding Tourette’s sufferer John Davidson – hitting out at critic Jamie Foxx
Following the incident on Sunday, Michael and Delroy remained composed on stage, while host Alan Cumming later apologized for any offense caused. Davidson decided to leave the ceremony midway after a series of disruptive outbursts.
John has suffered from a severe form of Tourette’s since the age of 12, with the condition characterised by involuntary movements or sounds known as tics.
One of his biggest symptoms is coprolalia, which makes him involuntarily say socially inappropriate words or phrases, including when he famously shouted ‘f*** the Queen’ at Elizabeth II when he was awarded his MBE in 2019.
Despite there being a two-hour time delay on the BBC’s coverage, his BAFTAs slur was aired to millions tuning in on BBC One and could still be heard on iPlayer on Monday morning.
The BBC initially apologised for ‘any offence caused’ but has now admitted the slur should have been ‘edited out prior to broadcast’. The awards ceremony has disappeared from iPlayer while the BBC removes the N-word outburst.
John’s outburst has divided opinion, with Django Unchained star Jamie fuming on social media: ‘Out of all the words you could’ve said Tourette’s makes you say that. Nah he meant that s**t. Unacceptable.’
Charity Tourette’s Action said it ‘deeply understands that these words can cause hurt’ but insisted they are ‘not a reflection of a person’s beliefs, intentions or character’.
High-profile celebrities, including Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi and US star Billie Eilish, have publicly spoken about living with Tourette’s.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Piers shared an image of the I Swear poster and wrote: ‘ I watched this movie last night. Incredibly powerful and inspiring’
Jamie blasted Tourette’s activist John for his ‘unacceptable’ N-word outburst at the BAFTAs
A Sinners production designer also alleged she was subjected to Davidson’s involuntary racial slurs, adding that the situation was made worse by ‘the throwaway apology’ of ‘if you were offended’.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the BBC of making a ‘horrible mistake’ and called for the Corporation to explain why the slur was not initially ‘bleeped out’.
Jordan’s former co-star on The Wire, Wendell Pierce, also reacted furiously, saying: ‘It’s infuriating that the first reaction wasn’t complete and full throated [sic] apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan. The insult to them takes priority. It doesn’t matter the reasoning for the racist slur.’
During the broadcast, Cumming apologized for the language viewers may have heard.
He said: ‘You may have heard some strong and offensive language tonight. If you have seen the film I Swear, you will know that film is about the experience of a person with Tourette’s syndrome.
John, who yelled the N-word at two black presenters during the BAFTAs, has said he is ‘deeply mortified’ by his outburst
‘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.’
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony, it was not intentional.
‘We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.’
In contrast, the BBC edited out ‘Free Palestine’ from an acceptance speech made by filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr after My Father’s Shadow won the BAFTA for outstanding British debut.
Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were subject to the expletive as they presented the first prize of the night at London’s Royal Festive Hall on Sunday
