GB News comic jumps to Tourette's campaigner's defence amid Bafta 'racial slur' row after Channel 5 star demands apology

Mr Davidson, whose life story inspired the Bafta-nominated film I Swear, has long spoken publicly about his Tourette’s syndrome and the involuntary verbal tics associated with the condition.

Following the incident, Channel 5 contributor Ms Kaur wrote on X: "Tourette's campaigner John Davidson shouted the N-word while Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the BAFTAs.

“I'm sorry, this is WILDLY unacceptable on so many levels - mostly so from @BAFTA."

She continued: “We can all understand he has a condition, but this is subjecting Jordan and Lindo to racial trauma, which everyone needs to understand is UNACCEPTABLE on every level.

“The fact that they apologized to the BAFTA audience publicly, but not directly to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan continues the tradition of prioritizing white comfort over Black trauma.” (sic)

The social commentator's comments triggered a swift response from Mr Kearse on X.

He wrote: “In Western culture, we accept disabled people in public spaces and make accommodations for their disabilities. Narinder doesn't like this."

GB News contributor Darren Grimes similarly weighed in on the debate, writing on X: “Pretty incredible that she’s now attempting to cancel a disabled bloke for doing something entirely out of his control.”

Supporters of the Tourette's advocate quickly rallied behind Mr Kearse’s post.

"She is being somewhat disrespectful towards two adult men who would, I assume, have the intelligence and empathy to know the difference," one X user commented.

In Western culture, we accept disabled people in public spaces and make accommodations for their disabilities. Narinder doesn't like this. https://t.co/qTUAjnQEBA

— Leo Kearse - see me on tour! Links in bio (@LeoKearse) February 23, 2026

"She’s too immature to realise using disabled people to get attention on x is a d*** move," wrote another.

A fourth penned: “The late Queen didn’t kick up a fuss when he shouted f*** the queen in her presence, she understood it was out of his control, I imagine John was and will be mortified after last night, but Narinder jumps on another bandwagon.”

A further response read: “Maybe if the Left hadn’t gone so hard on hurty words the mental gymnastics required in this particular example wouldn’t be needed.” (sic)

However, some users leapt to Ms Kaur's defence.

One person wrote: "The Beeb should have bleeped this out though given the hours time delay to broadcast." (sic)

The BBC issued a statement addressing the controversy on Monday morning.

A spokesperson said: “Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards 2026.

“This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette's syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologise for any offence caused by the language heard.”

Host Alan Cumming also addressed the outbursts live on air, explaining that Tourette’s syndrome is a disability and that the tics heard during the ceremony were involuntary.

Mr Davidson was not heard during the second half of the awards show and is understood to have left of his own accord.