Bafta Tourette's row has 'reversed' film's message

A woman who lives with Tourette Syndrome and featured in the film I Swear said she felt "upset" by the reaction to an outburst at the Baftas.

John Davidson, whose life story and struggles with Tourette's inspired the film, shouted a racial slur as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the first prize at the Bafta Film Awards on Sunday.

Corey Farwell from Weymouth, who featured in the film, said she felt "quite upset" to see the hate Davidson received following the outburst.

The BBC apologised on Monday for not editing out the slur from its coverage.

When asked how she felt seeing the backlash Davidson's outburst received, Farwell said: "I've felt really quite upset to be honest because it does feel like what the movie has done is being backtracked and we're going back from where we've gotten ourselves.

"I do think that a lot of the hate towards John is coming from people in America where the movie is not out... so they can't see that.

"I think people from the UK who have seen the movie are a bit more understanding."

BBC content chief Kate Phillips emailed staff on Tuesday, reiterating the BBC's apology for it not being edited out of the broadcast, adding: "We understand how distressing this was."

Phillips confirmed other instances of offensive language had been removed, telling staff: "The edit team removed another racial slur from the broadcast."

In contrast, the slur shouted when Lindo and Jordan were on stage "was aired in error and we would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast", she said.

Speaking on Tourette's outbursts, Farwell said: "It's not what you're thinking, it's not your beliefs, it's your brain finding the worst thing that you could possibly say in that moment.

"I'm a wheelchair user myself but if I see another wheelchair user myself and I'm tic-ing I'll say horrible things... nobody is safe around me."

Farwell heard about the opportunity to take part in the film from the charity she turned to when she was diagnosed, Tourettes Action.

Tourette's is characterised by sudden, involuntary and repetitive movements or sounds, known as tics.

Farwell was diagnosed after experiencing a "tic attack" which led to her being put in hospital and sedated.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent Dorset on Thursday, Farwell said: "It was punching myself, it was banging my head into walls, it was really, really violent and horrible."

The aspiring performer, who played a child with Tourette's in I Swear, said it was a "relief" to be diagnosed, having experienced tics since the age of seven.

She has Coprolalia - like Davidson - and also has Echolalia, which means she repeats what people say, often in a mimicking tone.