Ricky Gervais clashes with Transport for London over rejected vodka billboards in expletive-laden video
Ricky Gervais has attacked Transport for London after he says they rejected a series of dark-humoured billboards for his vodka brand.
The comedian posted to social media mock-ups of himself with a glass in hand alongside slogans like “Welcome to London. Don’t forget your stab vest”, “One day you’ll be underground for good”, “Your tube driver’s favourite drink in the morning” and “Drugs this good are usually illegal” for a Dutch Barn vodka billboard at the London Underground.
He claims these were all rejected, causing him to go on an expletive-laden rant on social media in which he called Transport for London “cowardly”.
Ricky Gervais has attacked Transport for London for rejecting a series of dark-humoured billboards. (Instagram)
“I am f—— sick and tired of the powers that be banning my f—— billboards and adverts,” he said in a video.
“Sometimes there’s just nothing wrong with them.”
Gervais claimed Transport for London said the “one day you’ll be underground for good” mock-up implied that life was short, so people should drink more.
“Who’s f—— thinking that?” he said.
A large majority of social media users were in support of the proposed billboards, with some noting the timeliness of his “Welcome to London. Don’t forget your stab vest” ad after a mass stabbing on the weekend.
Anthony Williams, 32, was charged with attempted murder over a mass stabbing attack on a train from Doncaster to London that wounded 11 people over the weekend.
Transport for London has issued a correction to Ricky Gervais’ claims. (Instagram)
“This aged well,” one user wrote.
“Should count as a public safety announcement right?” another said.
But Transport for London has disputed Gervais’ claims, saying they were never submitted for consideration.
“These adverts were never referred to TfL or their advertising partners for consideration,” the organisation said in a statement to local media.
Transport for London added that it was running other Dutch Barn ads on the network.
9news.com.au has contacted Transport for London for comment.
Gervais has promised to sell directly to customers instead via a website.
