John Davidson on Navigating Fame After BAFTA-Winning Film and Controversy

John Davidson, a 55-year-old community centre caretaker from Galashiels, has reduced his working hours to manage increasing international attention after his life story was dramatised in the BAFTA-winning film I Swear.

The film, which centres on Davidson's experience living with Tourette's syndrome, won three awards at the BAFTA Film Awards and has helped push public understanding of the neurodevelopmental condition to a wider audience.

Davidson — who was awarded an MBE in 2019 for nearly four decades of campaigning and supporting others with Tourette's — now divides his time between his job, campaigning and speaking with people who contact him for advice and solidarity.

"It's bizarre that people thousands and thousands of miles away feel they know me well enough from either watching the film or seeing me on television to get in touch," Davidson said.

Since the film's international release, Davidson says he has been contacted by hundreds of people from across the United States, Africa, China, India and beyond, many seeking support or wanting to join the conversation about Tourette's awareness and acceptance.

Dottie Achenbach says attitudes to John and Tourette's are changing [BBC]

The BAFTA ceremony also brought a difficult moment into the spotlight: Davidson uttered a racist slur while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. He described the incident as "deeply mortifying," and both BAFTA and the BBC issued public apologies for the broadcast of the remark. Davidson and his supporters have emphasised that involuntary vocal tics are a symptom of Tourette's and called for greater public education and broadcaster sensitivity around such episodes.

Despite the controversy, Davidson believes the film has created momentum for better understanding. "There has been a movement created by the film — it's not just locally or nationally, it's internationally," he said. "It's been a hard shift since the film was released — there have been some pretty difficult times — but we're now seeing an awful lot of good coming from it. It's certainly been worthwhile."

Locally, attitudes are changing too. Dottie Achenbach — a long-time friend and supporter portrayed by Maxine Peake in I Swear — recalls that in the past people often tutted or reacted angrily when Davidson experienced tics in public. "See now, we get out the car and the minute he tics everyone turns around and shakes his hand and says things like: 'well done'. What a difference the film has made," she said.

Davidson was guest of honour at a Tourette's awareness event at Scottish Borders Council headquarters, where the building was lit in the campaign colour teal. Hannah Hawthorn, one of the organisers, said: "There is still a lot of judgement that comes from other people and that can be hard for people with Tourette syndrome. Events like this are all about visibility, understanding and kindness, and are important for people to come together."

As the conversation continues, advocates are urging more education for broadcasters and the public to ensure moments involving involuntary behaviour are treated with context and compassion while the film continues to open doors to international support and dialogue.