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Coverage dated February 22, 2026 to March 1, 2026

Saturday Night Live Bafta sketch branded ‘horrific’ by leading Tourette syndrome charity

Headline from The Guardian, on the newest of 3 developments

Sketch featured parodies of JK Rowling, Bill Cosby and Mel Gibson saying controversial remarks were due to TS

The Guardian's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

3 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. Tourette's activist John Davidson speaks out after using racist slur at BAFTAs

    Headline from Newsweek ·

  2. 'Sinners' production designer: Why Tourette's incident at BAFTAs was "worse"

    Headline from Newsweek ·

  3. Newest

    Saturday Night Live Bafta sketch branded ‘horrific’ by leading Tourette syndrome charity

    Headline from The Guardian ·

2 reports not tied to one development ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

17 articles, oldest first.

  1. Newsweek

    Tourette's activist John Davidson speaks out after using racist slur at BAFTAs (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    Davidson said he's "deeply mortified" if anyone believes his tics to be intentional.

  2. Breitbart News

    Controversy Erupts After Man with Tourette Syndrome Shouts N-Word at Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo During BAFTAs (opens Breitbart News)

    Published

    Breitbart News's feed description

    Controversy exploded online Sunday after a man with Tourette Syndrome shouted the N-word while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented during the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs).

  3. Forbes

    Tourette’s Activist John Davidson Speaks Out After Shouting Racial Slur During BAFTAs (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    Davidson said he was “deeply mortified” by the thought of offending anyone with his outbursts, which included curse words and a racial slur.

  4. Local News 8

    British film awards interrupted by racist slur from man with Tourette Syndrome (opens Local News 8)

    Published

    Local News 8's feed description

    By Tom Page, CNN (CNN) — It was the clip heard around the world after Sunday night’s BAFTA ceremony in London — a man yelling a racist slur as two celebrated Black actors, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, presented an award on stage. The man was John Davidson, the subject of the British indie

  5. The Hollywood Reporter

    Tourette’s Debate Sparked at BAFTA Film Awards After Campaigner John Davidson Heard Cursing, Shouting Slurs at Presenters (opens The Hollywood Reporter)

    Published

    The Hollywood Reporter's feed description

    A debate has been sparked among BAFTA Film Awards attendees after a Tourette's campaigner, John Davidson, was heard cursing throughout the show.

  6. CNN

    British acting awards interrupted by racist slur from man with Tourette Syndrome (opens CNN)

    Published

    CNN's feed description

    At Sunday night’s BAFTA ceremony in London, a man yelled a racist slur as two of the world’s most celebrated Black actors, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, presented an award on stage.

  7. The Guardian

    What is Tourette syndrome, what are tics and what happened at the Baftas? (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    A racial slur shouted during the awards show has raised questions about how Tourette’s outbursts should be understood

  8. NPR

    BAFTAs come under fire after guest with Tourette syndrome uses slur during ceremony (opens NPR)

    Published

    NPR's feed description

    The BAFTAs were disrupted by an audience member with Tourette syndrome who shouted slurs at Black presenters. TV critic Eric Deggans examines the criticisms of the show's organizer and broadcaster.

  9. Newsweek

    'Sinners' production designer: Why Tourette's incident at BAFTAs was "worse" (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    BAFTAs controversy raises questions about broadcast decisions and accountability.

  10. Slate Magazine

    The BAFTA Tourette’s Controversy Isn’t So Simple. A Black Disability Advocate Explains Why. (opens Slate Magazine)

    Published

    Slate Magazine's feed description

    John Davidson shouted a racial slur at Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo at the BAFTAs. The worst kind of social media storm ensued.

  11. NBC News

    Racial slur at BAFTA awards stirs complex feelings for Black people with Tourette syndrome (opens NBC News)

    Published

    NBC News's feed description

    For Black people living with Tourette syndrome, the British Academy Film and Television Arts Awards incident earlier this week where a vocal tic manifested as a racial slur while two Black stars of the movie “Sinners” were onstage has left them with complicated feelings.

  12. Deadline

    'SNL' Tackles BAFTAs' Racial Slur Incident With Tourette's Sketch (opens Deadline)

    Published

    Deadline's feed description

    'SNL' tackles BAFTAs' racial slur incident with Tourette's sketch featuring controversial celebs like J.K. Rowling, Jill Zarin, Armie Hammer and Ye.

  13. The Guardian

    Saturday Night Live Bafta sketch branded ‘horrific’ by leading Tourette syndrome charity (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    Sketch featured parodies of JK Rowling, Bill Cosby and Mel Gibson saying controversial remarks were due to TS

  14. Deadline

    'SNL's BAFTA Racial Slur Sketch Criticized By Tourette’s Charity (opens Deadline)

    Published

    Deadline's feed description

    'Saturday Night Live's Tourette’s sketch, lampooning John Davidson's BAFTA incident, has been heavily criticized — including by a Tourette’s charity.

  15. Breitbart News

    'Saturday Night Live' Under Fire for 'Disgusting' and 'Shameful' Sketch Mocking BAFTAs N-Word Controversy (opens Breitbart News)

    Published

    Breitbart News's feed description

    NBC's "Saturday Night Live" is facing backlash for what social media users call a "disgusting" and "shameful" sketch that featured comedians playing celebrities justifying their past scandals by blaming them on Tourette syndrome -- in reference to the racial slur controversy at the British Academy F…

  16. Variety

    ‘SNL’ BAFTAs Tourette’s Sketch Under Fire as Charity Group Slams ‘Horrific’ Trolling: ‘Mocking a Disability Is Never Acceptable’ (opens Variety)

    Published

    Variety's feed description

    SNL's Tourette's sketch, starring Andrew Dismukes as Mel Gibson and Ashley Padilla as J. K. Rowling, has been condemned by a leading charity.

  17. Fox News

    NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' takes heat for 'cruel' skit mocking Tourette syndrome following BAFTA incident (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    NBC’s "Saturday Night Live" is facing widespread criticism for poking fun at Tourette syndrome, with a leading charity blasting the attempt at humor as "never acceptable."