Ricky Gervais accused of ‘bullying’ by co-star

Hollywood star Ricky Gervais has been slammed by one of his former co-stars who claims his health deteriorated while working with the British comedian.

Comedian Robin Ince, who previously toured with Ricky Gervais, has alleged the Hollywood star’s behaviour toward him was tantamount to “bullying”.

Ince, best known for presenting his show The Infinite Monkey Cage with Brian Cox, opened for Gervais in stand-up shows, including Fame, in the 2000s.

However, in comments made in July, Ince claimed that the time was not as enjoyable for him as it should have been.

The pair have worked together on tour multiple times. Picture: YouTube.

“I look back now, and I think it is bullying, really it is,’ Ince alleged during an appearance on The Starting Line podcast.
“I’m very good at sometimes just acclimatising to things, in which you go, ­’actually, this is really weird.”

He shared that after two weeks of working with Gervais, he developed a “stress rash” and felt like his “hair was coming out”.

“But people who knew me did not like the way that relationship worked. I am not saying it is a traumatic experience, but after two weeks I came out in red lumps that my doctor said were a stress rash. I think my hair is coming out in clumps,” he claimed.

He alleged that Gervais’ behaviour toward him became so bad his co-star in The Office Mackenzie Crook stepped in and confronted him about it.

News.com.au has approached Gervais’ representative for comment.

Ince has claimed that his health suffered as a result of working with Gervais. Picture: Supplied

Gervais is known for his controversial comedy style. Photo: Getty Images

Ince announced his retirement in 2015, stepping away from comedy to focus on his personal life.

At the time, he claimed he was “starting to go mad” and had regrets about not being with his family more often.

Ince and Gervais appeared to remain friendly until 2022, when the comedian wrote a blog post slamming the Hollywood actor for making jokes about transgender people.

“It is easy to forget the collateral damage of jokes,’ Ince wrote at the time.

“Anti-trans punchlines seem to have become highly ­profitable and it ignores the dehumanising effect on a swathe of already marginalised people. I think Ricky believes it is just him being a ‘naughty boy’

“I believe it makes him a pin-up and role model for the alt-Right,” added Ince.

Gervais faced backlash last year after he faced backlash parents over a joke he made on one of his comedy specials.