Comedian Jimmy Carr is under increasing pressure after a joke about the Holocaust in his Netflix special 'His Dark Material' sparked widespread condemnation. During a routine in Manchester, Carr told the audience it might be his last tour due to the controversy. The joke, which references the Nazi murder of Roma, Sinti, and traveller communities, has been labelled 'abhorrent' by Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.
The prime minister's official spokesman said it was 'unacceptable to make light of genocide' and that the government would ensure streaming services are more accountable. The Traveller Movement charity is drafting a complaint to Netflix, demanding the removal of the segment. Greg Sproston, policy and campaigns manager at the charity, said: 'If you've got a punchline which is indistinguishable from the genuinely held beliefs of Nazis and fascists, a line has been crossed.'
Despite the backlash, many fans have defended Carr, arguing for his right to tell offensive jokes. Nikki Eastwood, who attended the Manchester show, told the BBC that Carr joked about being 'cancelled', which drew laughter from the audience. Carr's routine includes a trigger warning and frames the joke as a 'career ender', claiming it has an 'educational quality' about lesser-known Holocaust victims.
Netflix has not yet commented on the furore. The Traveller Movement and other civic organisations are finalising a letter to the streaming service, seeking answers on how the segment was approved for release. Sproston added: 'We want to see Jimmy apologise to the community and understand the hurt and offence he has caused.'
