I Swear star Thierry Mabonga has defended Tourette's campaigner John Davidson following his involuntary outburst during the Baftas on Sunday night.
The biographical drama, featuring Robert Aramayo as Mr Davidson during his Glasgow youth and initial diagnosis, won three accolades, but the man behind the film's inspiration yelled a racial slur during the awards.
The campaigner, who was diagnosed with Torette's syndrome at 25 after symptoms first emerged when he was 12, experiences tics and involuntary verbal outbursts that frequently include profanity.
During Bafta chair Sara Putt's introductory remarks, Mr Davidson shouted "shut the f*** up," whilst the directors of Arco received their best children's and family film award to cries of "f*** you."
@azawa.app #stitch with @Reel Takes Let's talk about that N word moment at the BAFTAs. @Reel Takes #scottishtiktok #bafta ♬ original sound - Reel Takes
The most controversial moment came when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo took to the stage to present the best visual effects prize to Avatar: Fire and Ash, at which point Mr Davidson shouted the n-word.
While the incident sparked a huge reaction from viewers, many have jumped to Mr Davidson's defence, including co-star Mr Aramayo and his co-star Thierry Mabonga, who stars in the film as Mr Davidson's lawyer.
Taking to TikTok, the actor stated: "I'm one of the actors in I Swear. I played John Davidson's lawyer. And if you've seen the film, you know what I'm talking about.
"In the scene, I'm representing him because he's just got into trouble and I'm representing him, but at the same time, he's hurling abuse at me, and it's very offensive words.
John Davidson, a prominent Tourette syndrome campaigner, shouted the N-word involuntarily from the audience during Sunday evening's ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall | GETTY"Now, this is the condition, the disease of Tourette's syndrome. John cannot control what he says.
"In fact, that's the whole point of why we're making this film. We've made this film, I Swear, to educate people about Tourette's syndrome."
Addressing some of the backlash Mr Davidson has faced since, he continued: "And how can you say that he can't be there at the awards?
"This is a film about his life. This is a film about him. Absolutely, he has a right to be there. And absolutely, it's great that he was there.
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Baftas 2026: Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for his portrayal of John Davidson in I Swear | GETTY"And I don't know if some of the actors there were told in advance about someone with Tourette's being there.
"Hopefully they would have been told, therefore prepared for that kind of stuff that happened. Regardless, John has Tourette's, enough said."
It is understood that, prior to the ceremony, a floor manager had informed attendees about Mr Davidson's presence and the possibility of involuntary noises or movement.
The ceremony at London's Royal Festival Hall also saw host Alan Cummings address the audience following involuntary outbursts from Mr Davidson.
I Swear star Thierry Mabonga rushed to defend John Davidson
|TIKTOK
"Thank you for understanding," Mr Cummings told attendees after strong language and shouts were heard from the 54-year-old campaigner.
The film went on to pick up three accolades, two of which went to leading man Mr Aramayo, who won Best Actor and Rising Star.
The third award went to director Lauren Evans for Best Casting.
Much of the online reaction to the incident has surrounded a lack of understanding of Tourette's, cementing the importance of the 2025 film.