Michelle Dewberry has publicly urged actor Jamie Foxx to apologise following a controversy at the Bafta Awards involving Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson. The incident, which took place during the ceremony on Sunday, has triggered widespread debate about the actor’s remarks and the handling of Davidson’s involuntary tics on live television. The Jamie Foxx Bafta controversy centers on an episode where Davidson unintentionally uttered a racial slur due to his condition, sparking criticism and strong reactions online.
Davidson, who lives with Tourette’s syndrome, involuntarily vocalised the N-word while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting on stage. An invited guest at the awards—where the film inspired by his life, I Swear, was nominated for six prizes—Davidson subsequently withdrew from the public part of the event to watch privately. Despite Bafta host Alan Cumming apologising during the ceremony for any offensive language related to Davidson’s condition, Jamie Foxx and others challenged the explanation on social media, prompting a larger controversy.
Details of the Incident and Jamie Foxx’s Social Media Response
John Davidson’s involuntary tic occurred live as presenters Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo announced the award. Although Bafta made clear that any offensive language was unintentional and related to Davidson’s Tourette’s, Foxx questioned this publicly on Instagram. Reacting to a video clip, Foxx wrote:
Out of all the words, you could’ve said Torette’s makes you say that?
(sic). In further comments, Foxx labelled the outburst unacceptable and stated: Nah he meant that s**t.
Foxx’s remarks triggered thousands of negative responses targeting Davidson on social media platforms. Public figures such as Narinder Kaur and Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu also criticised Davidson after Foxx’s comments. This online backlash intensified the controversy surrounding the incident, increasing the pressure on public discourse about disability and the nuances of Tourette’s syndrome.
Support for John Davidson Emerges Amid Social Media Attack
Despite widespread criticism, a notable number of people have voiced strong support for John Davidson. Thierry Mabonga, who portrayed Davidson’s lawyer in I Swear, defended him on TikTok, clarifying misunderstandings around the condition. Michelle Dewberry also stood up for Davidson, condemning the harsh treatment he faced on social networks. She tweeted,
This poor guy. Of course he is mortified! As I said earlier, shame on anyone who attacked John Davidson for his involuntary tic.
She further criticised the attackers’ motivations:
Most of the folk doing the attacking are either members of the ‘be-kind’ brigade, members of the ‘perpetual victim’ club, or both. Shame on you,
Dewberry posted on X, emphasising the insensitivity shown toward Davidson’s neurological condition.
Calls for Jamie Foxx to Issue a Public Apology
Amplifying the support for Davidson, Michelle Dewberry explicitly demanded an apology from Jamie Foxx. On Tuesday evening, she questioned publicly,
Has @iamjamiefoxx apologised for this yet?
Dewberry condemned Foxx’s behaviour, stating,
His thickness and ignorance helped create a monumental pile-on to a disabled man…
This call for accountability highlights a growing demand for better understanding and respect when addressing disabilities in public forums.
Alongside backing Davidson, Dewberry praised the film I Swear, which chronicles his life. She commented on the film’s significance, writing,
I have finally managed to sit and watch ‘I Swear’ in full. Phenomenal,
and implored critics to reconsider their judgments by watching it. She added,
To everyone who has criticised John Davidson or chosen to be offended by his words… I urge you to watch it. John Davidson deserves nothing but respect. I wish him every inch of happiness, he truly deserves it. What a remarkable man he is. (Credit also to fellow Hullensian Robert Aramayo for his incredible performance).
Official Responses from Bafta and BBC Address the Controversy
Following the event, both the BBC and Bafta issued statements to apologise for the distress caused. The BBC statement acknowledged that some viewers heard strong language during the broadcast and explained that it originated from involuntary tics linked to Tourette’s. They apologised for not editing out the language before airing and confirmed that the offensive content will be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.
Bafta’s statement underscored the gravity of the language used, recognising the deep pain it caused to many. They took full responsibility for placing their guests in a difficult position and apologised to all affected. The organisation pledged to learn from the episode and promised to continue prioritising inclusion in its future activities, committing to fostering empathy through storytelling and film.
We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.
We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.
John Davidson Speaks Out on His Experience and Criticisms of the Broadcast
In his first interview since the Bafta incident, published by Variety, Davidson opened up about his condition and the challenges he faces managing tics. He revealed that he had reached out personally to Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo to apologise for any discomfort caused during the live show, despite the involuntary nature of his vocalisations.
Davidson criticised both the BBC and Bafta for failing to bleep out his tics, which he expected would be managed given his history with the broadcaster. He explained,
For me personally, my brain works so fast and the tics have always been so aggressive that I have no idea when they are coming or what they will be,
adding,
I have almost no ability to suppress, and when the situation is stressful, I have absolutely no choice but to tic — it simply bursts out of me like a gunshot.
He emphasised that his involuntary outburst during the award presentation was one incident among many vocal tics throughout the night. Regarding the coverage, Davidson pointed out that Bafta had informed guests beforehand that any swearing would be edited, but failure to do so caused misunderstandings. He told Variety:
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.
Davidson called on the public to educate themselves about Tourette’s, highlighting how negative reactions reflected a broader lack of awareness. He said:
The negative responses only go to show the importance of people seeing the film and understanding more about an incredibly complex neurological condition.
He added that he assumed his tics would not be audible on stage due to his distance from presenters and the absence of acknowledgment from people nearby:
I had an expectation that the BBC would physically control the sound at the awards on Sunday. I was so far from the stage. From the lack of response from the early presenters to my tics, and with no one turning around to look at me, I assumed, like everyone else, that I could not be heard on the stage.
Davidson underlined the involuntary and neurological nature of his tics, noting,
I want people to know and understand that my tics have absolutely nothing to do with what I think, feel or believe. It’s an involuntary neurological misfire. My tics are not an intention, not a choice and not a reflection of my values.
Reactions from Presenters and Further Industry Responses
Following the incident, Delroy Lindo reflected on the experience in an interview with Vanity Fair, expressing regret over the lack of post-ceremony communication. He said that he and Michael B Jordan
“did what we had to do”
by continuing their presentation despite the disruption but wished someone from Bafta had addressed the situation afterward.
The event also triggered wider reactions within the Bafta community. A judge resigned, citing Bafta’s failure to protect Black guests during the tumultuous awards night. Meanwhile, online conversations debated the quality of Alan Cumming’s hosting, with some suggesting Alex Davies as a potential replacement.
The Broader Impact and Next Steps in Disability Awareness and Media Practices
The Jamie Foxx Bafta controversy has illuminated critical discussions on how media events should accommodate individuals with disabilities, particularly those with neurological conditions. John Davidson’s experience exposed shortcomings in live broadcast management and public understanding of Tourette’s syndrome, amplifying calls for greater sensitivity and education.
Michelle Dewberry’s outspoken defence and demand for an apology underscore a societal insistence on empathy and responsible commentary from celebrities. The public and institutional responses demonstrate the complexities involved in balancing live entertainment, inclusivity, and respect for affected individuals.
Moving forward, Bafta and broadcasters like the BBC are expected to implement stricter policies and measures to prevent similar incidents and ensure that all guests, including those with hidden disabilities, receive appropriate support. The controversy also reinforces the importance of films like I Swear in promoting broader awareness and compassion for neurological conditions within both the industry and audiences worldwide.
I have finally managed to sit and watch ‘I Swear’ in full.
Phenomenal.
To everyone who has criticised John Davidson or chosen to be offended by his words….I urge you to watch it.
John Davidson deserves nothing but respect.
I wish him every inch of happiness, he truly… pic.twitter.com/iqczABZr7K
— Michelle Dewberry (@MichelleDewbs) February 24, 2026
