Has he finally gone too far? Ricky Gervais tells risque Jimmy Saville joke about ‘raping disabled children’ that even HE fears will be canceled – as comedian embarks on new tour

Ricky Gervais has admitted he may have finally gone too far with a joke about Jimmy Savile, claiming it’s the ‘worst thing I’ve ever said’ as he promotes his new global tour.

The free speech comedian had a big audience when he kicked off his Mortality tour earlier this joke, and he joked about some controversial topics that went beyond what his most hardened fans were used to.

The 63-year-old’s provocative routine received mixed reviews from critics, who branded him a “bar bum” who has spent too much time online and someone who is “too lukewarm to get excited about.”

But his supporters praised the comic for a triumphant return with his opening performance at the York Barbican on Tuesday, calling his routine ‘brilliant’ and ‘outstanding’, with one saying they had ‘never laughed so much’.

The show lasts an hour and contains a number of controversial jokes, which is not surprising given Gervais’ unapologetic attitude, with jokes about disabled children, Gandhi and even one about Jimmy Savile, which he claimed is the worst joke he has ever made said.

Ricky Gervais photographed a performance at the York Barbican on Tuesday evening. Critics who attended the opening performance branded him a “pub owner” whose jokes are no longer funny

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

The show lasts an hour and includes a number of controversial jokes, including one about Jimmy Savile (pictured), which he claimed is the worst joke he has ever said

The comic provoked audiences by comparing himself unfavorably to Jimmy Savile and claiming he was ‘much worse’ than the monster who raped and abused hundreds of disabled children.

The joke starts with Gervais pointing out the obvious: people hate Jimmy Savile because he got away with his crimes, including raping disabled children.

He then suggests that 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 joke about fellow British comedian Rosie Jones, who has cerebral palsy.

Gervais points out that Jones himself was criticized by disability activists over the title of a recent documentary called ‘Am I a R****d?’.

He explained that she had been told that the word was not hers to use as a physically challenged person. Gervais then jokes: ‘They said you’re not ar****d, you’re as*****c.’

Such jokes seemed to have backfired with critics, with the Times’ Dominic Maxwell giving it a two-star review and adding that “all this provocation and semi-satirical self-aggrandizement feels thin.”

Stephen Armstrong of The Telegraph gave it three stars in his review, saying, “It feels like a man who used to be the funniest guy in the pub, delivering material written after spending too much time online.”

Gervais also added a joke about fellow British comedian Rosie Jones (pictured), who has cerebral palsy

But fans seem to have a completely different opinion, with some already taking to social media to shower Gervais with praise.

Kevin MacDonald wrote on X shortly after the gig: ‘You were brilliant Ricky, so glad we got to see you live.’

Gaynor, who was also present on Tuesday, wrote: ‘I saw you tonight and can confirm that you are indeed a ‘funny little fat man’. Thanks #legend.”

Helen Young also praised the ‘fantastic’ show and said she was ‘so glad I got to be there’, while Paul Stanley claimed he had ‘never laughed so much’ after watching.

Other fans expressed their anticipation of seeing Gervais at some of his future shows in the UK later this month.

The comic will travel to Oxford next week for two shows at the New Theater before heading to Newcastle, Manchester, St Albans and Brighton in November.

He will then perform in Nottingham and Liverpool in December, and in Cardiff, Ipswich, Manchester and Birmingham in the new year.

Fans have already taken to social media to shower Gervais with praise for his new show

It’s not the first time Gervais has raised eyebrows about his material.

He previously faced backlash when his 2023 show on the Armageddon streaming service featured controversial jokes about asylum seekers and terminally ill children.

He came under fire after the clip began circulating on social media, in which the star called sick children “bald” and asked those who wanted to meet him through the Make-A-Wish Foundation: “Why don’t you want to get better ? ?’

Despite the uproar, the special won a Golden Globe and made history by becoming the highest-grossing comedy show ever after taking in a whopping £1.41 million at the Box Office for a single performance.