BAFTA-winning actress Wunmi Mosaku has spoken about the emotional impact of a controversial moment during the recent BAFTA Awards ceremony, saying the incident left her deeply unsettled. The moment occurred when Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson, who was attending the event in connection with the film I Swear, involuntarily shouted an offensive word due to a verbal tic linked to his neurological condition. At the time, actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting an award. Although the ceremony was broadcast with a delay, the remark was not removed before it aired on television, which later prompted apologies from both BAFTA and the BBC. Mosaku, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Sinners, said the situation overshadowed what should have been a celebratory night. While she expressed sympathy for Davidson and acknowledged that his condition was not within his control, she also said she was troubled by the decision to leave the moment in the broadcast.

The incident has sparked broader conversations about understanding neurological conditions like Tourette syndrome and the responsibilities of broadcasters during live events. Davidson later explained that his verbal tics are involuntary and not a reflection of his beliefs, describing the outburst as a neurological misfire. Medical experts note that some people with Tourette syndrome experience coprolalia, a rare symptom that can cause uncontrollable vocalizations of inappropriate words or phrases. The BBC has since launched a review into how the moment was handled, and the edited version of the ceremony has been updated. Meanwhile, several voices in the entertainment industry and disability advocacy community have called for greater awareness and compassion when discussing such incidents. The situation has highlighted the complex balance between sensitivity toward harmful language and understanding the realities of neurological disorders.