John Davidson: How I deal with fame after Tourette's film hit and Bafta row

Tourette's campaigner John Davidson has cut his hours at his long-standing job as a community centre caretaker to make time for his growing international fame.

The 55-year-old's life story features in the Bafta-winning film I Swear.

Since its international release, the Galashiels janitor said hundreds of sufferers and supporters from around the world have contacted him.

John, who now splits his days between work and campaigning, said: "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."

John, whose condition involves involuntary tics, was made an MBE in 2019 in recognition of almost 40 years campaigning and providing support to other sufferers.

But it was the release of I Swear last year that took awareness of the neurodevelopment disorder to a new level.

It won three awards at the Bafta Film Awards in February.

But the event was overshadowed by controversy after John shouted a racist slur while black actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage during the ceremony.

The campaigner said he was "deeply mortified" by the remark, and Bafta and the BBC issued apologies.

John hopes the film will bring better understanding and greater acceptance of Tourette's.

"There has been a movement created by the film - it's not just locally or nationally, it's internationally.

"I'm being contacted all the time by people from the States, from all over Africa, China, India - you name it.

"They all want to join in the conversation and help raise the profile of Tourette's syndrome across the world.

He added: "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."

While John's story is reaching audiences around the world, a change in attitudes is also being witnessed at home.

Dottie Achenbach, who is played by Maxine Peake in I Swear, has supported John since he was a teenager and regularly accompanies him to hospital appointments.

She said: "When we went before you would have all these people outside the entrance, and when John would tic you would get all these tuts and people approaching us in an angry way.

"They didn't have the understanding.

"See now, we get out the car and minute he tics everyone turns around and shakes his hand and says things like: 'well done'.

"What a difference the film has made."

John was guest of honour this week at a Tourette's awareness event at Scottish Borders Council's headquarters.

Several local children with the condition joined him for a ceremony to illuminate the building in the campaign colour, teal.

One of the event's organisers, Hannah Hawthorn, 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."