'I accidentally swore at late Queen and her response blew me away'

One of the proudest days of youth worker John Davidson’s life was in July 2019, when he was presented with an MBE by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Holyrood. But unlike the quiet murmur of thanks most people might utter under these circumstances, John suddenly shouted: "F*** the Queen!”

John suffers from an extreme case of Tourette’s Syndrome – a neurological condition that can cause tics, involuntary noises such as coughing or whistling or – in John’s case – sudden outbursts of bad language.

"The tic urge often comes when I'm anxious, stressed or tired," he told The Times, "and then it's an exhausting mental battle telling myself, 'John, that's the absolute worst thing you could do in this moment,' and then trying not to do it.”

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The pressure of the day had started to affect John almost as soon as he arrived at Holyrood Palace. As police made a routine security check, sliding mirrors underneath his vehicle to check for explosives, John’s condition made itself known and he yelled: "A bomb! I've got a f***ing bomb!"

He had also bellowed: "I'm a paedo!” as he walked down one of the Palace’s tapestry-lined corridors, but Her Majesty was completely unruffled. John recalled: "Her Majesty was very kind. She was as calm and assured as my granny. She was very good about it.”

John first came to public attention in 1989, when he was the subject of a BBC TV documentary called John's Not Mad. The programme hugely increased public awareness of Tourette’s, but not always for the better, with The Times previously noting that the documentary inspired "nationwide playground mocking campaigns.”

A group of religious fanatics, who had seen the programme, appeared at his front door brandishing crucifixes and attempted to “exorcise the demon” that they believed was driving John’s compulsive outbursts.

At the time, he recalled, he was busy with his pet rabbit Snowy, and admits that when he told them: "Look, I need to deal with my rabbit so will you just f*** off?" those words didn’t come from his condition, but from genuine irritation.

But despite silliness from some viewers, John went on to become acknowledged as a "nationally known ambassador for the condition".

Working with support groups such as Tourette Scotland and national organisation Tourettes Action, he has visited schools, given talks, and held workshops on living with Tourette syndrome.

It was in recognition of his tireless outreach work that he was honoured by The Queen. "The MBE was the proudest moment of my life," he said. "I never thought I'd even have a life, let alone be able to help people and get recognised for it."

Recognition of John’s work has also resulted in a book and a new documentary film, both called “I Swear.” His first meeting with the film’s director, Kirk Jones, was marked by another one of his compulsive outbursts when he made the filmmaker a cup of tea, then told him: "I used spunk for milk."