T he power of words turned up at London’s Royal Festival Hall this week, wearing a tuxedo and waving enthusiastically at Alan Cumming.
Like millions of others, we were glued to the screen for the 2026 Bafta Awards ceremony. And like millions of others, we heard the swearing shouted out in the opening minutes. At first, we thought it was hecklers but then quickly realised John Davidson must be in the audience, and we smiled.
Unlike all those in attendance at the event, we didn’t hear what was shouted out as Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo came on stage to present the first award, but we could see that both men were visibly shaken.
The outrage and condemnation that followed in the wake of that shouted word cast a shadow over the most joyous moment of the entire evening, when Robert Aramayo won the award for Best Leading Actor for his portrayal of John Davidson in I Swear, the film adapted from John’s eponymous memoir.
Why Words Matter
O ne single, six-letter word had the power to condemn an event; a broadcasting corporation; the man who uttered it, and by association, the nation to which that man belongs. All because many of those who heard the word were unconsciously ignorant of the symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome and clearly had not seen the film.
I unreservedly condemn the use of that word and all the abhorrent racism its use implies. And I share the initial shock of everyone in that room who heard it, particularly those at whom it appeared to be directed. But in the light of realising a) it was John who had involuntarily shouted it and b) having watched I Swear, understanding the crippling discrimination John and fellow Tourette’s syndrome sufferers face all their lives, I instantly forgave, forgot, and moved on.
Unfortunately, I Swear has not yet been released in the US and therefore many of the celebrities in attendance that night were not aware of the condition or the nature of the tics it can cause. They could only focus on that one word and remove all plausible excuses for its use.
The power of words was, in this case, defeated by the power of ignorance.
I only hope that Robert Aramayo can resume his excitement and pride at winning the award. He gave a breathtaking performance in I Swear and I.M.O was a worthy winner.
I also hope John Davidson can move forward from his embarrassment. My personal view is that he should not have been subjected to that possibility in the first place. The BBC has to take responsibility for placing a microphone directly in front of John who took himself out of the auditorium in the early stages of the evening for fear of what he might involuntarily shout. To then be subjected to the ensuing furore is unforgivable.
Bad Words, Good Words
F or those who have the misfortune to develop Tourette’s syndrome, their tics are a constant barrier behind which they are incarcerated. Those who also suffer vocal tics including involuntary swearing, encounter hostility, harassment and violence.
By ironic contrast, the positive power of words in John’s adapted memoir have brought both the condition and John’s struggles to the attention of the world’s media and in so doing, may transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of sufferers for the better.
There were two big winners on the night: One Battle After Another which won the Best Film award, and Hamnet which won Outstanding British Film, both of which were adapted from novels. One Battle After Another is described as ‘loosely’ based on Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel, Vineland, while Hamnet is adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel of the same name.
The power of Maggie O’Farrell’s words elicited this wonderful comment from Jessie Buckley, winner of the Leading Actress award for her portrayal of Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife in Hamnet:
“Maggie, Maggie O’Farrell, thank you for this gift of a role. You brought the mother out of the shadows and you stood her in absolute beside the giant that is Shakespeare. Thank you.”
There can be few greater accolades for a writer than to have your words adapted for the big screen and see them played out by actors at the top of their profession. To be publicly recognised for that achievement by the wonderful Jessie Buckley, using such sweet words, must be mightily empowering.
