Robin Ince, a prominent figure in British comedy, has recently come forward with allegations of bullying against fellow comedian Ricky Gervais. The claims stem from their collaboration during Gervais's 2004 Politics tour, where Ince served as the support act.
In a recent episode of The Starting Line podcast, Ince reflected on his past experiences, stating, "I look back now, and I think it is bullying, really it is." He elaborated that the true nature of their relationship only became apparent when outsiders witnessed Gervais's behavior towards him.
The alleged incidents were captured in behind-the-scenes footage included in the 2004 DVD release of the Politics tour. This material reportedly shows Gervais engaging in various actions that made Ince uncomfortable, such as making loud noises, singing unexpectedly, and requesting Ince to perform tasks for his amusement.
Ince described himself as a "human stress ball" for Gervais during the tour. The footage allegedly depicts Gervais squealing at Ince, attempting to surprise him, prodding his face, and even tying him up while filming with a small video camera.
One particularly notable incident involved MacKenzie Crook, creator of the series Detectorists and star of The Office. According to Ince, Crook intervened when Gervais was publicly reading out a diary of Ince's invented daily actions, asking him to stop due to his own discomfort with the situation.
Ince also drew a striking comparison, likening the tour atmosphere to William Golding's "Lord of the Flies," suggesting that other tour members began to join in with Gervais's behavior.
It's worth noting that Gervais has faced criticism for his comedy in the past. The opening of his Politics show included jokes at the expense of Ash Atalla, a producer who uses a wheelchair, which Atalla later admitted made him "uncomfortable."
As of the time of this report, representatives for Gervais have not responded to requests for comment on these allegations.
This situation highlights the complex dynamics that can exist in the entertainment industry, particularly between established stars and supporting acts. It also reflects a growing trend of public discussions about past behavior in the comedy world, as society's understanding of acceptable conduct continues to evolve.
"I would go through it, but people who knew me did not like the way that relationship worked."
The allegations have sparked conversations about the nature of comedy, the limits of humor, and the importance of maintaining respectful professional relationships in the entertainment industry.