Ricky Gervais is celebrating his 61st birthday, and to celebrate the star, we’re taking a look at his most controversial moments.
The big-mouth comedian is a much-loved British comic who has adoring fans worldwide due to his brutally honest nature and quippy but offensive jokes.
Ricky has never shied away from making the awkward but topical joke and sometimes that has landed him in some hot water, but he still never seems to care and shrugs off any backlash.
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The After Life star has offended more than a handful of Hollywood’s top talent and he doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon.
Genitalia joke
During his hosting segment of the 67th Annual Golden Globes in 2010, Ricky made a rather rude joke regarding his private parts.
But in the breath before, he quickly roast the audience first, by saying: “Looking at all the faces here today reminds me of the great work that’s been done this year — by cosmetic surgeons.”
He then continued: “I’ve had a little bit of work done … I’ve had a penis reduction. Just got the one now. And it is very tiny. But so are my hands, so when I’m holding it, it looks pretty big.”
Ricky has hosted the prestigious awards five times – in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2020, and has without a doubt offended multiple people each time, on purpose too.
Caitlyn Jenner clash
At the 2016 awards, Ricky poked fun at Caitlyn Jenner, who had publicly announced her transition the year before.
He began: “I’m going to be nice tonight.
“I’ve changed — not as much as Bruce Jenner. Obviously. Now Caitlyn Jenner, of course. What a year she’s had! She became a role model for trans-people everywhere, showing great bravery in breaking down barriers and destroying stereotypes.
“She didn’t do a lot for women drivers. But you can’t have everything, can you? Not at the same time.”
Ricky received a lot of backlash for this but defended his jokes and tweeted: “Suggesting a joke about Caitlin Jenner is automatically transphobic is like suggesting a joke about Bill Cosby is automatically racist.”
Mel Gibson feud
Later that evening, he also enjoyed roasting Mel Gibson, for a second time after previously ripping into him during a previous year of his hosting.
Ricky said: “Now I find myself in the awkward position of having to introduce [Gibson] again.
“Listen, I’m sure it’s embarrassing for both of us, and I blame NBC for this terrible situation. Mel blames — we know who Mel blames.
“Listen, I still feel a bit bad for it. Mel’s forgotten all about it apparently, that’s what drinking does. I want to say something nice about Mel before he comes out. So… I’d rather have a drink with him in his hotel room tonight than with Bill Cosby.”
Mel spoke about Ricky to The Sydney Morning Herald and shared his anger towards the star.
He snipped: “I remember after the last experience with Ricky, I wanted to strangle him.”
Antagonising Angelina
(Image: Getty Images)
Ricky Gervais has also taken aim at Angelina Jolie at the swanky event more than once too.
In 2010, Gervais teased the actor for her family set-up and made a joke about her adoptions.
Ricky taunted: “Actors aren’t just loved here in Hollywood, they are loved the world over.
“You could be in the third world and get a glimpse of a Hollywood star and it makes you feel a little better. You could be a little Asian child with no possessions and no money. But you could see a picture of Angelina Jolie and you’d think, ‘Mummy!'”
Royal slander
While Gervais was never offered a knighthood by the royal family, he jumped on Twitter
In December 2018, Ricky decided to take to Twitter to explain how he has never been offered a knighthood by the royal family – and how he wouldn’t want to be either.
While Gervais was never offered a knighthood by the royal family, he jumped on Twitter in December 2018 to explain why he wouldn’t have wanted one anyway.
He tweeted: “Dear The Royal Family, I am the son of an immigrant labourer who didn’t have a pot to p*** in till I was 40.
“Now I’m Britain’s most successful international comedian and I p*** in anything I want.
“You can shove the knighthood though. How about a lordship? Love your work. Ricky.”
On The Graham Norton Show, Ricky also made a snidey remark about what it was like having some of the royals at one of his comedy shows.
He said: “At one of the last shows I did Madonna, Paul McCartney and Princes William and Harry were on the guest list,” he said (via Hello!) “And, once you add a Prince to the guest list you also get seven people with guns get in for free — it’s unbelievable!”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
