Ricky Gervais accused of 'tone deaf' posts after The Office co-star Lucy Davis announces terminal cancer diagnosis
Ricky Gervais has been slammed for promoting his new Netflix show in the hours after Lucy Davis announced her devastating cancer diagnosis.
The 65-year-old comedian has long made it clear that he doesn't really care if his brand of comedy offends people but it seems as if the public were expecting a more heartfelt response following the news that Lucy shared on social media earlier this week.
Gervais and Davis starred together in the beloved UK comedy The Office, with David Brent perhaps being Gervais' most famous character, while Davis was also perhaps best-known for her role Dawn Tinsley.
Having worked together so closely, many were seemingly expecting more than just a 'love heart emoji' on Davis' post, although she replied with 'xxx', and of course it seems likely that he's probably messaged her privately with his support.
Advert
However, several posters on social media were less than happy with Gervais' subsequent posts in the aftermath of Davis' announcement, as he spoke about his YouTube channel and his recent Netflix release Alley Cats.
He wrote: “I do live broadcasts every Sunday on my YouTube channel. They're mostly s***. Please subscribe anyway.”
One user replied: “Bit tone deaf. Former co-worker on one of the most successful pieces of work you’ve been involved in, revealed she is terminally ill, and you’re posting this stuff all evening.”
Another commented: “Yeah no don’t focus on Lucy Davis, by all means keep celebrating yourself and your painfully average solo work.”
It comes after many were shocked by Davis' announcement, in which she confirmed that the breast cancer she was initially diagnosed with had sadly metastasised into her bones, meaning the only care she can now receive is palliative.
On Instagram, she wrote: “Hi friends. I wanted to share something with you all that I’ve kept to myself for a while but for various reasons would like to share now.
“A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which has metastasised to my bones. Specifically to my spine, right hip, and my ribs. The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo.
“The initial lump that I felt, wasn’t a ‘lump’ as such; rather a kind of hard spot. Really tiny.
“I almost didn’t bother getting it checked. So I guess I’m saying don’t ignore anything – get everything checked out."
In her post, Davis also shared: “I always like to find the teachable moments in anything negative that happens. And cancer has not disappointed in that regard; there’s a lot I have learned from it, and I’m grateful for that.”
She added: “I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it.”
Meanwhile, Jenna Fischer, who played the same role in the US version of The Office as Pam Beesly, also shared her support for Davis, having recently announced she was cancer free after her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2024.
She wrote: “Beautiful post. Love you lots. And yes to working with cancer! Let’s spread that message far and wide! How working is such a comfort!”
LADbible has contacted Ricky Gervais' representatives for comment.
Topics: Ricky Gervais, The Office, Celebrity News, Entertainment
James Moorhouse