Ricky Gervais has reaffirmed his commitment to free speech in comedy, stating he has no intention of altering his material to appease audiences who might be offended. In a recent BBC Radio 2 interview, the 65-year-old comedian asserted that any backlash his jokes generate only enhances the humor for him.

"I don’t tell people not to be offended; I tell them I don’t care if they are. Be offended if you want, it makes it funnier for me," Gervais said. His stand-up specials have often drawn criticism for material touching on politics, gender identity, religion, and celebrities. However, Gervais maintains he does not intentionally set out to provoke.

"You can’t help by what you’re offended by, but … don’t expect me to care … It’s a myth that I go out to offend. I never go out to offend," he explained. "I just know that it’s probably going to happen because everyone’s different."

Gervais suggested that nearly any statement carrying a viewpoint can offend someone. "There’s nothing you can say, particularly anything that’s mildly interesting or contentious or your viewpoint, that someone somewhere won’t find offensive," he added.

Reflecting on the current climate, Gervais observed that audiences seem quicker to take offense now compared to two decades ago. "And times have changed. Twenty years ago, if someone said I was offended by that, I probably would go, ‘Why?’ Now I go … ‘I know you are. Everyone is.'"

While Gervais has frequently addressed cancel culture and free speech in his recent tours, he indicated a desire to move past the topic. "I’ve dealt with it too much, actually. I think the last couple of tours, I have dealt with cancel culture and free speech because I felt I had to. Now, I don’t have to," he said. "I’m ignoring it all. I shouldn’t even bring it into the room. Those people there who’ve paid hundreds of pounds — they’re not offended. I can play to a million people, not one complaint."

The comedian pointed out that the outrage often stems not from his live audiences, but from the broader reach of his specials on platforms like Netflix. "As soon as it goes on Netflix, 50 million people. Of course, there’s going to be someone who doesn’t like it. What am I going to do? It’s too late. I’ve been paid."

Gervais previously reignited debate earlier this year by reposting a line from his 2020 Golden Globes opening monologue, which advised celebrities against using awards shows as a platform for political speeches. He added a comment on X, stating, "They’re still not listening."