Ricky Gervais doubles down on controversial comedy: ‘Be offended if you want’

Ricky Gervais says he has no plans to soften his comedy, insisting that offending some people is inevitable—and not something he worries about.

Speaking on BBC Radio 2, the comedian said he never sets out to provoke audiences but believes any strong opinion is bound to upset someone. “Be offended if you want,” Gervais said. “I don’t care if they are. It makes it funnier for me.”

The 65-year-old argued that criticism mainly comes after his Netflix specials reach millions of viewers, not from fans who attend his live shows. “I can play to a million people, not one complaint,” he said, adding that with a global audience, “of course, there’s going to be someone who doesn’t like it.”

Although he has frequently addressed cancel culture and free speech in recent tours, Gervais said he is ready to move on from the topic and focus on comedy itself.

The comic also recently revived debate by reposting his viral 2020 Golden Globes remark telling celebrities not to use award speeches for political lectures, adding on X: “They’re still not listening.”