Frankie Boyle slams Ricky Gervais for trans joke and says 'he's not a stand-up comedian'

Frankie Boyle has called Ricky Gervais “lazy” for a joke he made about trans people, saying the comedian needs to show more respect.

Boyle is known for his controversial and offensive jokes, but slated After Life star Gervais for disrespectful jokes about the trans community.

Speaking to Louis Theroux for his Grounded podcast, Boyle explained why he didn’t rate Gervais: “If you’re a stand-up watching him, you feel like, ‘oh, that’s someone doing a version of what we do'.

Read more: Ricky Gervais says privileged stars aren’t above Golden Globes jokes

“But really, it’s that I saw him doing his routine about trans people and I thought it was very lazy.

"I would like him to have the same respect for trans people as he seems to have for animals. I don’t think that’s a lot to ask."

He added: “I mean, look, we know Ricky Gervais, he’s a brilliant actor, he’s a brilliant writer, he’s not a f***ing stand-up comedian.

"Just because Ricky Gervais self-identifies as a stand-up comedian, am I supposed to say that he is one? It’s f***ing political correctness gone mad!”

The Office star Gervais made a joke about Caitlyn Jenner at the 2016 Golden Globes, referencing her trans journey as well as a fatal car crash she had been involved in the previous year.

Watch: Jazz Jennings, Caitlyn Jenner and other trans stars send love to Elliot Page

He said: “What a year she’s had. She became a role model for trans people everywhere – showing great bravery in breaking down barriers and destroying stereotypes.

"She didn’t do a lot for women drivers. But you can’t have everything, can you? Not at the same time.”

Boyle has faced plenty of controversy himself over subjects he’s targeted for laughs.

In 2008 he was criticised for making fun of Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington’s appearance, in 2010 Mencap called him out on jokes about people with Down syndrome, and later that same year he offended with crude comments about Katie Price’s disabled son Harvey.

Watch: Ricky Gervais slams Tom Hanks’ response to Golden Globes speech