Ricky Gervais calls Shropshire mother to apologise over Twitter row
Comedian Ricky Gervais had a private telephone call with a Shropshire disabled rights campaigner following a Twitter row she had with him over his use of the word ‘mong’ on his page.
Comedian Ricky Gervais had a private telephone call with a Shropshire disabled rights campaigner following a Twitter row she had with him over his use of the word ‘mong’ on his page.
Nicky Clark, 45, from Shrewsbury, blasted The Office star after claiming the word was an abusive term often used to refer to people with Down’s syndrome. The Hollywood star initially hit back at criticism.
He posted a definition from an internet dictionary stating that ‘mong’ did not refer to the condition.
Mrs Clark, who is the mother of two disabled daughters and led a battle to try and save the Grange Day Centre in Shrewsbury from closure, said the Twitter row had led to her receiving abuse on the social networking site from Gervais’ fans.
She broke down during a chat with presenter Jeremy Vine on BBC Radio 2 as she described how her daughters regularly had the word directed at them in public.
But Mrs Clark said the pair had now made their peace after his agent contacted her to see if the multi-award winning writer and comedian could call her in private to explain that he never intended to cause any offence to disabled people by using the word.
Mrs Clark said: “He phoned me and spoke to me for about an hour. He said he was concerned because it was not his intention to use the word to mock disabled people.
“I said to him it was fine and then he sent me a public message to thank me for speaking to him. I know he’s a star and everything and he didn’t have to phone me or talk to me or answer any of my questions but he did and that’s a credit to him.”
Gervais has apologised and admitted he was ‘naive’ over Twitter remarks that many people found offensive.
In a tweet to Mrs Clark, he says: “A very public thank you for your kind, rational and understanding words in private.”
In a later ‘Twinterview’ he undertook with the disability rights campaigner he said he now understood why some people may find the word offensive.
He said: “Never dreamed that idiots still use that word aimed at people with Down’s syndrome. Still find it hard to believe.”
Comments for: "Ricky Gervais calls Shropshire mother to apologise over Twitter row"
Barry
Like him or loathe him, at least he had the guts to make contact. Time to move on.
Dean
This is ridiculous we are turning into a blame culture liek the americans are, when they try to sue anybody for anything and everything.
'Mong' is used widely and bares no meaing to disabled people.
I think she just doesn't like Ricky and has found something to pick at him about. Why don't people just wind their necks in and mind their own business.
Ricky you have my support mate...
TKG
Ricky can rest easy now he has your support, Dean.
Who's going to sue who? Barking and wrong tree babes.
Nathan
Dean you dont have a clue, I know her personally, and before this she was a massive fan of Ricky he has done great work in the past and tackled the subject in office and Extra's, He admitted fault and apologized just because that word is unfamiliar to younger people doesn't mean its ok to reclaim it for a different use.
Barry Parker
not my view above different barry i dont like him myself typical of todays useless humour people watch him must like big brother scummy behavior i dont care who sends replys they have no humour either
AC
Very eloquent Barry; could just about make out your meaning there. Just because you don't find it funny, doesn't mean it isn't. If you can seriously watch things like "The Office" and "Extras" without understanding why those programmes are funny, then I'm afraid it's you who "has no humour".
Nistagmus
o so verryclevah irone is four hypstors onlee, bring bak gym davidsoon son as possbler¬ their's to much laffter in these wurld> ned more laffs at my noritis and les hapines al rownd any one Who dizagre has know cence off whomore.
Double Dee
I have been using this term for 25 years to describe the usual fools who enter into my life. I never have - and never will - use it to describe a person with Downs Syndome. A few more words in my vocabulary include "irritating", "political" and "correctness".
zztopfan
It doesn't matter what *you* use the word for. It's what others use the word for, and some people use it in a derogatory way to refer to people with Down's Syndrome.
If some people ignorantly used the "N" word thinking it wasn't offensive, would you defend them too?
Jim
I love him -- but here he was kind of disappointing, because he was trying to make a clever point about people's over-sensitivity without really being in full possession of the facts. And also, I have to say, without making a good enough argument. Hats off for the apology though, and massive well-dones to Nicky for good work here (and also the dogged Richard Herring for sticking to his guns). Let peace break out!
Sarah
Yes the use of the word was insenstive, but I think it's time to move on. Mrs Clark seems to be courting more publicity than needed!
Depressed of Belvidere
If it was a private telephone call, how come I am reading about it?
Andrea
Simply because people courting publicity have very little in the way of scruples when it comes to maintaining their fizzogg before the general public. Where's Saint Sally Bercow now that the main furore has passed?
Birds of a feather etc etc......
Drone
Andrea, you'll no doubt be delighted to learn that the self-effacing and camera-shy Sally is to appear in a new TV "reality" show. She'll be starring alongside well-known bashful traveller Patrick "Paddy" Doherty in "When Sally met Paddy". I so wish I was joking.
Drone
Or even "When Paddy met Sally". Whadever, like we care.
Ham
OMG this is terrible. Easily the worst thing that has ever happened in the world,I hope ricky is disappointed by his behaviour. and the word 'mong' is band forever. Peace
Genghis Khan
As I've been dead for the last 800 years, it's probably understandable that I don't know who to be most offended by.
Katherine deGama
What a stupid thing to say. It's not witty or clever.
Jayne Oliver
Ricky G is one of those comedians who have made a living out of poking fun at other people.
I'm glad he realises he's taken one step too far and he's apologised for it.
vincents_biatch
Well done Nicky for your dogged campaigning and well done Ricky for apologising.
For those saying "what's the fuss all about" - I hope you never know what it's like to be disabled.
THEN, you'll understand.