Ricky Gervais says cancel culture is over and never affected famous comedians in the first place

Ricky Gervais has insisted cancel culture was “never really about comedians that could sell millions of tickets”.

Ricky Gervais has insisted cancel culture was always more about “teachers and nurses” than famous comedians.

The 65-year-old outspoken star has spent years calling out the idea of people being offended by humour, but he has now claimed that celebrities have been far less impacted than ordinary people.

He told Saga Magazine: “I can’t imagine what I’d have to say or my audience to cancel me, but cancel culture was never really about comedians that could sell millions of tickets.

“It was about teachers and nurses who were losing their jobs because of an ideology.”

Ricky, known for his work on the likes of The Office, After Life and new Netflix comedy Alley Cats, has built his reputation as being a provocative and offensive comedian with no subject off limits.

However, he’s claimed the idea of people losing their careers for voicing unpopular opinions is started to fade.

He added: “Everyone got stressed about cancel culture, including me, [although] I tried to meet it dead on. But it’s peaked. It’s cyclic.

“Each generation tries to ‘outwoke’ the generation before; some things they’re right about, some things wrong, then we settle and go on until the next time.”

Ricky often ridiculed celebrities when he hosted the Golden Globes, and he’s previously described the event – which he helmed in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2020 – as the “most nerve-wracking” thing he has ever done.

He told Heat magazine: “It’s the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done. It’s the only time I ever get an adrenaline rush or get nervous about stuff because I get one shot at it.

“It’s like taking a penalty. I’ve just got to score.

“All I care about [is], ‘I’ve got to do that joke well. I don’t care what they think of it. I don’t care if I’m hated. I don’t care if I have to go into hiding. I just have to say that joke well.’

“If I fluffed the joke – oh my God, I’d never get over it.”

Meanwhile, Ricky is adamant he will never front the ceremony again, because the January date forces him to spend most of the holiday season preparing for the job.

He told The Times newspaper: “I think I’m too old to take the pressure now. Especially something like the Golden Globes in January. It ruins Christmas. But never say never.”