Ricky Gervais has subtly hit back at fellow comic Stewart Lee, after the veteran stand-up branded After Life 'one of the worst things that's ever been made by a human'.
After Life is Gervais' newest comedy series, although it's central plot line is substantially more morbid and heart-wrenching than the likes of The Office or Extras.
Despite winning plaudits from viewers and critics alike, the Netflix series seemingly isn't to the taste of Lee - to put it mildly.
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In a recent episode of Rob Brydon's podcast, the 54-year-old unleashed on Gervais' latest creation, which centres around a main character who struggles to cope after his wife dies from cancer.
Before praising projects like The Office, Lee said: "I think it must be very sad if you’re teaching drama or creative writing, how can you make a case for the things that make drama and creative writing good when After Life is a success?
"You know, ‘cause your kids could just go, 'But none of those things happen in this', and yet millions of people watch it. I think it’s one of the worst things that’s ever been made by a human," he added during Rob Brydon’s podcast.
Having previously expressed admiration for Lee's work, many fans theorised that Gervais would remain tight-lipped about the scathing criticism.
The 61-year-old may not have commented on it directly, but his recent Twitter habits do offer us an insight into how he views his peer.
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On Saturday (10 September) Gervais promoted After Life to his 15 million followers, writing: "Watch the award-winning, record-breaking After life. Now streaming on Netflix around the world."
Plugging projects is nothing unusual for the man from Reading, but the timing does seem to be a tad coincidental on this occasion.
Just to make sure that fans got the point, he even started liking a string of Tweets aimed at his biggest critic.
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One of the more pointed replies claimed that Stewart has 'never been relevant or funny'.
Lee, a stand-up veteran of over 30 years, will be relieved to know that the third season of After Life is set to be its last.
Gervais recently told Metro UK: "I am pretty sure it [the third season] is the final season, 99% sure… never say never. I don’t know… could I be persuaded? Well, of course.
"Netflix could offer me a castle and an animal sanctuary on an island…. But at this moment, in time? No, this is it."
Topics: Ricky Gervais, TV and Film, The Office, Celebrity, Twitter, Social Media
Tom Fenton