Ricky Gervais is branded a ‘pub bore’ for new show with Jimmy Savile joke he claims is the ‘worst thing he’s ever said’ – but fans praise ‘brilliant’ stand-up despite tepid reviews

Ricky Gervais has claimed a joke about Jimmy Savile is the worst thing he’s ever said and fears it could get him cancelled. 

The comedian, 63, kicked off his Mortality tour on Tuesday to the delight of thousands of fans with a sold out show at the York Barbican. 

Critics who attended the opening gig branded him a ‘pub bore’ whose jokes are no longer funny, while others fumed the show was ‘not so much too hot to handle as too tepid to get excited about’. 

However, fans did not share the same criticisms, instead hailing the comic’s 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. 

Ricky Gervais pictured performing at the York Barbican on Tuesday night. Critics who attended the opening gig branded him a ‘pub bore’ whose jokes are no longer funny

The comedian, 63, was kicking off the UK leg of his Mortality tour with a sold out show in York

The hour-long show includes some controversial gags, including one about Jimmy Savile (pictured), which he claimed is the worst joke he’s ever said

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 also 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 criticised for using the word, which 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.  

Fans have already taking to social media to lavish Gervais with praise about his new show 

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.