Ricky Gervais speaks out over huge backlash to jokes about terminally ill kids

20 December 2023 , 12:34

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Ricky Gervais speaks out over huge backlash to jokes about terminally ill kids

Ricky Gervais has broken his silence following claims of 'ableism' in his Netflix special, Armageddon.

Clips from the programme have since been shared online with a scene featuring a 'Make-A-Wish' skit. The foundation allows terminally ill children to make one wish that can be granted.

In the skit, he reveals that throughout the coronavirus pandemic, sick children would ask for videos from him. However, Ricky said: "I always say yes. And I always start the video the same way. I go 'Why didn't you wish to get better? What, you f***ing r*****d as well?" But in a bid to prevent controversy, he added: "I don't do that either, okay. These are all jokes, alright. I don't even use that word in real life. The R word. I used it in a joke, that's not real life is it. I'm playing a role."

The show which is set to be released on Christmas Day sees Ricky say: "I then burst into hospitals and go 'Wake up baldy'. Look at me twerking on TikTok."

Ricky Gervais has broken his silence (Getty Images for Netflix)

When asked about the skit on BBC Radio 5 Live by Nihal Arthanayake, he said: "In the actual skit, I say 'I've been doing a lot of video messages lately for terminally ill children. Only if they request it. I don’t burst into hospitals and say, 'Wake up baldy'."

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"I'm literally saying in the joke that I don’t do that. But people have a reaction. They don't analyse it. They feel something – that's what offence is. It's a feeling. That's why 'I'm offended' is quite meaningless. What do you want me to change?" Since the clip made its way online, a petition has been launched calling for Netflix to remove the petition. The petition has now been signed by almost 6,000 individuals.

Ricky's 'joke' has been slammed online (rickygervais/Instagram)

When asked if he had seen it, he responded to Nihal: "Good luck, that's what I say to them. Good luck, I'll even retweet it." Responding to how he deals with the criticism, the stand-up said: "Ninety-nine percent of it is faux offence. They're not really offended. They just want to be heard. I'll explain 'No, you've mistaken the subject of the joke with the actual target'.

"Of all the millions of people that watched it and loved it, only a few don't like it. If I give them special attention and try and placate them, I've annoyed the other millions of people that got the joke. They go 'No, you've ruined it for us!' So, I've got a duty to the people that like it and get it. I wouldn't sit down with a heckler, would I? If I'm playing to twenty thousand people, I wouldn't stop the show and explain to them. I ignore them."

However, he was quick to clarify that some of his comments are made by a "character" and believes viewers often "Get confused and think that a joke is a window to the comedian's true soul."

Daniel Bird