Australian reality star Conor Maysey has weighed in on the BAFTAs controversy surrounding Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson.
John, whose life story inspired the film I Swear, was heard yelling the N-word while actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first prize of the night at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
The incident sparked vigorous debate online, with many, including Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, claiming John’s involuntary outburst was intentional.
Conor, 31, who was diagnosed with Tourette’s in his early 20s, and is the National Education Officer for the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia, said he was surprised at the level of backlash.
‘I am a bit surprised because I think that people like John and myself have put so much effort into advocacy that you kind of expect people to understand by now,’ he said.
‘Although because of how tense the situation is with racism in America right now, I can also understand why there is such sensitivity.’
Australian reality star Conor Maysey (pictured) has weighed in on the BAFTAs controversy surrounding Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson
Davidson (pictured) was heard yelling the N-word at London’s Royal Festival Hall. His life story inspired the film I Swear
While recognising the sensitivity of the situation, Conor said that John’s unfortunate tics displayed on the night were evidence that he was, in fact, not racist.
‘Tourette’s is so much about saying obscene things – the things that you see as a taboo,’ he said.
‘John having racism tics is actually more showing that he has a problem with racism. That’s a big taboo for him.’
Conor added that this is something he knows only too well.
‘For me, it’s a lot of homophobia and transphobia because I have gay and trans siblings and friends,’ he said.
‘It’s a big taboo for me, so those are the tics that will come out.’
Conor, who appeared in the 2025 season of Big Brother Australia, added that the backlash John has received online serves as a stark example of what many people living with Tourette’s go through every day.
‘It really is just a great example of what most people with Tourette’s experience in their day-to-day life,’ he said.
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
The incident sparked vigorous debate online, with many, including Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, claiming John’s involuntary outburst was intentional
‘When I go to the supermarket and I’m saying obscene things, I’m encountering that level of reactionary: “Can you stop saying those things?’ or: “Shut up.” It’s just how people with Tourette’s experience their lives.
‘The number of times I’ve told people: “I’m really sorry, I have Tourette’s, I can’t control it,” and they go: “Yeah, likely story, mate.”‘
Conor added that his decision to enter the Big Brother house in 2025 was predicated largely on raising awareness about his condition.
‘I wanted to give people a better idea of what it meant to have Tourette’s,’ he said.
‘There’s a whole lot of sensationalism around it, you know, when you’re kind of cutting and editing things you can make Tourette’s seem a lot more intense than it is.
‘Whereas, for most people, it has these moments of intensity, but for the most part, it’s like, pretty, pretty normal throughout your day.
Conor continued: ‘You’re just making small noises here and there, and then you kind of have these moments of swearing and saying obscene things during stressful moments throughout the day.’
Conor said that he felt John had dealt with the online negativity well – something he too had to navigate after his Big Brother appearance.
The film I Swear stars Robert Aramayo as John Davidson
Aramayo won best actor on Sunday for his performance in the film
‘I think that, despite all the difficult comments, John is dealing with the backlash really well. I think that as a person with Tourette’s, you grow a thick skin,’ he said.
‘After I got out of the Big Brother house I was shown quite a few ripe comments about my Tourette’s as well.
‘It’s, like, well, I’m right there talking about my experience, and yet, people can still not take away the right information, so you can’t win every battle.’
Conor said that he hoped that the incident would serve as a teachable moment about what people living with Tourette’s deal with, urging empathy instead of online hostility.
‘I always come into it with a mind like: “You’re never going to change someone’s mind.” All you can do is educate them so that they can change their own mind,’ he said.
‘We’re not trying to make people feel bad for not understanding – I know people with Tourette’s who don’t understand their Tourette’s.
‘What we’re asking for is a little bit of grace and a little bit of empathy.’
Following the slur, Michael and Delroy did not react on stage, however host Alan Cumming later said ‘we apologise if it has caused offence’
On Sunday, following the slur, Michael and Delroy did not react on stage, however host Alan Cumming later said ‘we apologise if it has caused offence’ and John made the decision to leave the ceremony halfway after several incendiary 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 Foxx 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,’ he wrote.
