Ricky Gervais Faces Backlash Over Joke in Upcoming Netflix Special

An online petition, supported by UK disability charity Scope, calls for removal of joke about terminally ill children.

Ricky Gervais is facing backlash for his upcoming Netflix special, 'Armageddon', due to a joke about terminally ill children.
An online petition, started by a parent of a child with cancer, is calling for Netflix to remove the offending joke from the special.
Gervais has defended his joke, stating that he is playing a character and that the joke is not reflective of his real-life views.
The UK disability charity Scope has also called for the removal of the joke, stating that such language has real-world consequences.
Despite the controversy, Gervais's previous work has been highly successful, with his last Netflix series, 'After Life', being the platform's most-watched British comedy for four years running.