Ricky Gervais has admitted he may have finally gone too far with a joke about Jimmy Savile, claiming it is the ‘worst thing I’ve ever said’ as he promotes his new global tour.
The free speech comedian had crowds in stitches as he kicked off his Mortality tour earlier this joke and he joked about some controversial topics beyond even what his most hardened fans are used to.
The 63-year-old’s provocative routine received mixed reviews from critics, who branded him a ‘pub bore’ who has spent too much time online and someone who is ‘too tepid to get excited about’.
But his supporters lavished praise on the comic for a triumphant return with his opening gig at the York Barbican on Tuesday, hailing his routine as ‘brilliant’ and ‘outstanding’, with one saying they had ‘never laughed so much’.
The hour-long show includes some controversial gags, which is unsurprising given Gervais’ unapologetic attitude, with jokes about disabled children, Gandhi and even one about Jimmy Savile, which he claimed is the worst joke he’s ever said.
The comic provoked the audience by unfavourably comparing himself to Jimmy Savile and claiming that he was ‘way worse’ than the monster who raped and abused hundreds of disabled children.
The joke begins with Gervais pointing out the obvious – people hate Jimmy Savile for getting away with his crimes, which included raping disabled children.
He then suggests this is something he would never do, before adding: ‘Which in a way makes me worse than him. At least he gave them a chance.’
This was followed by another gag about fellow British comic Rosie Jones, who has cerebral palsy.
Gervais points out that Jones herself received backlash from disability campaigners over the title of a recent documentary called ‘Am I a R****d?’.
He explained that she was told the word was not hers to use as a physically disabled person. Gervais then quips: ‘They said you’re not a r****d, you’re a s*****c.’
Such jokes seemed to have fallen flat with critics, with Dominic Maxwell from the Times giving it a two star review, adding that ‘all this provocation and semi-satirical self-aggrandisement feels thin.’
Stephen Armstrong from The Telegraph gave it three stars in his review, where he stated: ‘It feels like a man who used to be the funniest bloke in the pub delivering material written after spending too much time online.’
But fans seem to have a different view altogether, with some already taking to social media to lavish Gervais with praise.
Kevin MacDonald wrote on X shortly after the performance: ‘You were brilliant Ricky, so glad we could get to see you live.’
Gaynor, who also attended on Tuesday, wrote: ‘Saw you tonight and can confirm you are indeed a ‘funny little fat man’ Thank you #legend.’
Helen Young also praised the ‘fantastic’ show, saying she was ‘so glad I got to attend’, while Paul Stanley claimed he had ‘never laughed so much’ after watching.
Other fans expressed their anticipation over seeing Gervais at some his future shows across the UK later this month.
The comic is set to travel to Oxford next week for two shows at the New Theatre, before heading to Newcastle, Manchester, St Albans and Brighton in November.
He will then perform in Nottingham and Liverpool in December as well as Cardiff, Ipswich, Manchester and Birmingham in the new year.
It is not the first time Gervais has raised eyebrows over his material.
He previously faced backlash when his 2023 show on the streaming service Armageddon featured controversial jokes about asylum seekers and terminally ill children.
He came come under fire after the clip started circulating on social media, showing the star branding sick children ‘baldies’ and asking those who requested to meet him via the Make-A-Wish Foundation: ‘Why don’t you wish to get better?’
Despite the uproar the special won a Golden Globe and went on make history by becoming the highest ever grossing comedy show, after raking in a whopping £1.41million at the Box Office for a single gig.