John Davidson (born 1971 or 1972) is a Scottish campaigner for Tourette syndrome.^[2] At age 16, Davidson was the subject of the BBC TV documentary John's Not Mad (1989) about the manifestations of Tourettes with which he lived. There have been a number of BBC follow-up documentaries throughout his life,^[3][4][5] as well as a film biopic entitled I Swear (2025).^[6]

Davidson is a "nationally known ambassador for the Tourettes condition",^[1] who gives talks and workshops for school pupils and teachers, and has organised an annual two-day residential Tourette camp for young people. In 2019 he was appointed an MBE in recognition of "his efforts to increase understanding of the condition and helping people deal with it across the country."^[2]

Davidson's condition encompasses a range of symptoms, including tics, coprolalia, echolalia, sudden and violent body movements, along with severe obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).^[7] At age 16 a BBC TV documentary was made about him, John's Not Mad (1989), which "became a major talking point" nationally.^[7]

In 2004, The Times reported that "Davidson occupies a position in the psyche of 1980s schoolchildren similar to that of Joey Deacon, who had cerebral palsy, for the kids of the 1970s. Both were the subjects of serious television programmes about their disabilities, and both promptly became the victims of nationwide playground mocking campaigns."^[8][7] A follow-up BBC TV documentary was made about him at age 30, The Boy Can't Help It (2002), and another, Tourettes: I Swear I Can't Help It (2009), caught up with him at age 37.^[9]

After leaving school at age 16 without qualifications,^[7] Davidson has worked his whole life as a caretaker at Langlee Community Centre in Galashiels.^[7][10][11] He has also done a lot of voluntary youth work. As of 2002 he was a part-time youth leader at Langlee Community Centre and education complex in Galashiels.^[11]

Since the broadcast of John's Not Mad, Davidson went on to become a "nationally known ambassador for the condition",^[10] "a spokesman for this previously hidden neurological disorder, campaigning to educate people about it."^[7] In 2003 he founded a Borders support group aimed at helping the families of those with the condition.^[12]

Working with support groups such as Tourette Scotland and national organisation Tourettes Action he has visited schools, given talks,^[13] and held workshops on living with Tourette syndrome,^[9] and spoken to groups of police and school teachers on supporting people with the condition. He has organised an annual two-day residential Tourette camp for young people in Galashiels:^[12][10]

"People who feel isolated in their own town can come to Galashiels for a weekend and feel part of a like-minded tribe," said John. "They can shout as loud as they like without worrying about upsetting or offending others. Hopefully, they return to their homes in better fettle and feeling stronger and less isolated."^[10]

As of 2019 he was a board member of Tourette Scotland.^[14] In 2019, he was appointed an MBE in recognition of "his efforts to increase understanding of the condition and helping families deal with it across the country."^[2][15][16] He has also been a leading member of Borders Action Group, campaigning to save public services.^[11]

The biographical film I Swear, directed by Kirk Jones, was announced in 2024, with Robert Aramayo to play Davidson.^[17] It came to cinemas in 2025.

In 2026, during the 79th British Academy Film Awards, Davidson's tics were audible in the auditorium and in the televised footage, including shouting the slur "nigger" while black actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for Best Special Visual Effects. This later prompted ceremony host Alan Cumming to apologise for any strong language heard throughout the broadcast, though he thanked the audience for their understanding of Tourette's. Davidson removed himself during the second half of the ceremony.^[18]

Actors Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce condemned the moment on social media. Pierce deemed it "infuriating that the first reaction wasn't complete and full throated apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan", and Foxx claimed Davidson "meant that shit" and called the moment "unacceptable."^[19] Lindo stated that he and Jordan "did what [they] had to do" while presenting, but that he wished "someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterward".^[20] Production designer Hannah Beachler alleged that Davidson had directed racial slurs at her, saying that it was an "almost impossible" situation while criticizing Cumming's "throwaway apology".^[21] The BBC apologised for not editing the incident from their broadcast of the ceremony, which was shown on a two-hour delay.^[22]

Following the ceremony, Davidson issued a public statement saying he was "deeply mortified if anyone considers [his] involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning" and reiterated that his vocal tics are involuntary.^[23]

• John's Not Mad (1989) – Q.E.D. series, by Valerie Kaye, broadcast on the BBC One. Features Davidson.
• The Boy Can't Help It (2002) – directed by Min Clough, produced by Todd Austin, broadcast on BBC One.^[24] Features Davidson and Greg Storey.^[25]
• Tourette de France (2007) – Only Human series, broadcast on Channel 4. Includes Davidson and Keith Allen.^[9]
• Tourettes: I Swear I Can't Help It (2009) – Q.E.D. series, directed and produced by Philippa Robinson, executive produced by Todd Austin, broadcast on BBC One.^[4][26] Features Davidson and Storey.^[25]
• Tourettes & Me (2014) – Prospect Cymru film for BBC One, catching up with John Davidson and Greg Storey 12 years on from The Boy Can't Help It^[27]
• Tourette's: Teenage Tics (2016) – by Min Clough and Todd Austin, broadcast on BBC One.^[28][29] Features Davidson, Storey, Angela Scanlon, Rory Brown and Paul Stevenson.^[30]
• I Swear (2025) – directed by Kirk Jones, produced by CrossDay Productions and Tempo Productions. Stars Robert Aramayo as John Davidson.^[17]