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Jimmy Carr blasted for joking ‘gypsies’ being killed was a ‘positive’ of the Holocaust

Comedian Jimmy Carr has spoken out about an “abhorrent” joke he tells in his latest TV comedy special that has left many horrified.

Jimmy Carr blasted for joking ‘gypsies’ being killed was a ‘positive’ of the Holocaust

Horrified comedy fans have blasted Jimmy Carr after the star made a “disgusting” Holocaust joke in his new Netflix stand-up show.

And the comedian reportedly addressed the growing furore during his latest stand-up gig, telling the audience at at the Whitley Bay Playhouse in seaside north-west England that “the joke that ends my career is already out there.”

According to the Mirror, a heckler yelled out: “Are we going to talk about the Holocaust?”

Jimmy replied: “We are going to talk about cancel culture, the whole thing.“We are going to talk about f***ing everything people. Relax.”

Jimmy’s horrifying joke

The comedian, 49, issued a “trigger warning” to the audience at the beginning of one-hour special His Dark Materials.

During the broadcast, which aired on Christmas Day, he spoke of “six million Jewish lives being lost” during the horror, The Sun reports.

For his punchline, he said there were “positives” – the deaths of thousands of gypsies at the hands of the Nazis.

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Carr joked that the deaths of thousands of gypsies in the Holocaust was a ‘positive’.
Carr joked that the deaths of thousands of gypsies in the Holocaust was a ‘positive’.

Dad-of-one Carr admitted before the show that some of the jokes were “career enders”.

And his remarks have sparked outrage, with campaigners and viewers alike slamming the vile gag.

One viewer wrote: “It’s estimated that around 75 per cent of Europe’s gypsy and Roma population were murdered in the Holocaust.

“Take Jimmy Carr off the air and cancel all his projects immediately.”

Another branded the joke “evil”.

‘Evil joke’

“Absolutely abhorrent. I know we joke about it but we have a serious issue regarding offensiveness in comedy,” they said.

The clip has since gone viral on social media – and thousands of people are having their say online.

The Traveller Movement – a charity supporting the traveller community in the UK – said: “This is truly disturbing and goes way beyond humour.

“We need all your support in calling this out.”

Groups supporting travellers – who were once called “gypsies” – have condemned the comedian.
Groups supporting travellers – who were once called “gypsies” – have condemned the comedian.

Hope Not Hate, the anti-fascism and anti-racism campaigning group, also condemned the comedian’s joke on Friday.

In a tweet, they said: “Comedy is an amazing tool for progressive change and it’s such a shame that Jimmy Carr decided to use his platform to celebrate the murder of one of the most marginalised groups in society.”

The Auschwitz Memorial called for Carr to “learn about the fate of some 23,000 Roma and Sinti deported to Auschwitz” in a tweet to their 1.2 million followers.

And Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE – the CEO of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust – has also hit out at members of the audience.

“We are absolutely appalled at Jimmy Carr’s comment about persecution … and horrified that gales of laughter followed his remarks,” she said.

A representative for Carr has been contacted for comment.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Jimmy Carr blasted for joking ‘gypsies’ being killed was a ‘positive’ of the Holocaust

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/entertainment/jimmy-carr-blasted-for-joking-gypsies-being-killed-was-a-positive-of-the-holocaust/news-story/46d37f8f7aa31e5a1f0ab0366cc0b852