From trashing Hollywood stars at the Golden Globes to mocking eco-activist Greta Thunberg during his stand-up comedy, Ricky Gervais has never shied away from provoking the rich and famous.
But fellow comedian Robin Ince claims Gervais’ behind-the-scenes mockery damaged his health when they were on tour together.
“Looking back on it now, I think it was bullying, I really do,” Ince claims. “I’m really good at just adapting to things sometimes, where you’re like, ‘Actually, this is really weird.’
“But people who knew me didn’t like the way that relationship worked. I’m not saying it was a traumatic experience, but after two weeks I came out with red bumps that my doctor called a stress rash. I think my hair is falling out in clumps.”
Ince, 55, tells The Starting Line podcast that Gervais’ “bullying” had gotten so bad that his The Office co-star Mackenzie Crook confronted him about it.
A fellow comedian claims Ricky Gervais’ behind-the-scenes banter took a physical toll on his health when they were on tour together (pictured at the 2022 National Television Awards)
“Looking back on it now, I think it was bullying, I really do,” Robin Ince claims
Ince announced his retirement in 2015, saying he was “going crazy” with doubts, insomnia and regret over not spending enough time with his family.
He remained friends with the 63-year-old Gervais until he wrote a blog post in 2022 criticizing him for making jokes about transgender people in his Netflix comedy special SuperNature.
“It’s easy to forget the collateral damage of jokes,” Ince said.
“Anti-transgender jokes seem to have become very profitable and ignore the dehumanizing effect they have on an already marginalized group of people,” he wrote, adding, “I think Ricky thinks he’s just being a ‘bad boy.’”
I think it makes him an icon and role model for the alt-right.’
Gervais declined to comment.
End of an era for Twiggy’s pins!
She was the poster child for the miniskirt in Swinging London in the 1960s, but Twiggy heralded the end of an era by declaring she was too old to show off her pins.
Dame Lesley Lawson, as she is better known, turns 75 tomorrow.
She says: ‘When it comes to fashion, I don’t like all those age labels.
Dame Lesley Lawson, as she is actually known, turns 75 tomorrow. Pictured: Twiggy performing on stage, Butterfly Ball, London, 1976
‘But I do make an exception when it comes to miniskirts and hotpants. The only time I wear shorts is when I’m on holiday and then they’re real shorts.
‘You have to think about what suits you and what makes you look good – or feel good. Comfort is also important.’
Ginger Spice makes a winning bet on the horses
Ginger Spice seems to have made a winning bet on the horses. Geri and Christian Horner have had a banner year at their racehorse business OMBI.
Recently published accounts show they made an investment strike of £600,000 last year, of which £137,000 was for biological assets, £280,000 for buildings and £187,000 for motor vehicles, taking their assets to just under £1m.
They made a profit, with retained earnings after the accounts had risen from £69,000 to £220,000.
Geri and Christian Horner (pictured at the Goodwood Festival of Speed) have had a banner year at their racehorse business OMBI
Sir Menzies Campbell recalls fond memories of his late father-in-law
Sir Menzies Campbell has fond memories of his late father-in-law, Major General Roy Urquhart – who led the Paras into action at the Battle of Arnhem – despite being a stickler for tradition. ‘I once heard him say to someone, “You don’t have to address me formally – just call me General”,’ the former Lib Dem leader, 83, recalled wryly, speaking at the party conference in Brighton.
Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell (pictured)
Choice of parties:
Olympic girl Keely opts for glittering party gold
Location: Burberry LFW40, Icons Party at The Roof Gardens, Kensington.
Keeping it gold: Olympic athlete Keely Hodgkinson, 22, is determined to keep her gold.
After winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, she wore a glittering dress and accessorised with a £2,090 Burberry bag.
Olympic athlete Keely Hodgkinson stays golden at London Fashion Week closing party
By brand: Burberry shares have fallen to a 15-year low, but Cora Corre, granddaughter of Dame Vivienne Westwood, has no doubts the brand is a luxury brand.
The 27-year-old model proudly wore the British brand’s classic Nova Check pattern.
Cora Corre (pictured) attends the London Fashion Week closing party
Ellie is all fuss: Pop singer Ellie Goulding, 37, made a striking entrance in silk trousers and a long-sleeved chiffon top with ruffled shoulders.
Pop singer Ellie Goulding, 37, made a striking entrance in silk trousers and a long-sleeved chiffon top with ruffled shoulders at the London Fashion Week closing party
Not so in fashion: Former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful almost didn’t make it to the crowded afterparty, an aide tells me, because the venue “filled up within the first hour.” They made up for the confusion by seating him on the main table with other VIPs.
Charles honors Camilla’s doctor
King Charles has given Queen Camilla’s physician a prestigious new role.
He has appointed Michael Dooley as Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, the county where the monarch’s beloved Poundbury housing development is located.
“It is a great honour to serve as the King’s representative in Dorset,” said Dooley, 67, who will “promote civic, cultural and social initiatives across the region”.
King Charles has given Queen Camilla’s doctor a prestigious new role. The king and queen pictured here at the 80th anniversary event for D-Day
Dooley is a consultant gynaecologist to the Royal Household and performed a hysterectomy on Camilla in 2007 when she was the Duchess of Cornwall. Like the King and Queen, he is an advocate of alternative health treatments.
It is the second recent honour for the doctor, after he was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) by the King in June.
Royal Victorian Order awards are a gift from the King and are given independently of Downing Street to individuals who have served the monarch or the Royal Family in a personal capacity.