Jimmy Carr Causes Offence In War Amputees Joke

Jimmy Carr Causes Offence In War Amputees Joke

26 October, 2009
by: Spoonfed Team

Jimmy Carr has stolen Tommy Tiernan's thunder after making a controversial joke about serviceman amputees that resulted in criticism from soldiers, military leaders and politicians.

His joke that he cracked at the Manchester Apollo on Friday: "Say what you like about these servicemen amputees from Iraq and Afghanistan, but we’re going to have a fucking good Paralympic team in 2012." has since been dropped from his show.

Former Army commander and Tory MP Patrick Mercer condemned the line, saying: "This was a remarkably dim and foolish thing to joke about. It’s not funny and this man's career should end right now.I understand his desire to shock but there are certain subjects you just can't make fun of and one of those is the sacrifice of our troops - especially this close to Remembrance Sunday."

Mr Mercer who spoke to serving troops about the joke added: "He has spent a great deal of time with troops at Selly Oak and Headley Court, but that just makes it even more bizarre. He was one of their favourite comics"

Colonel Richard Kemp, a former commander of British forces in Afghanistan, said: "These remarks are completely disgraceful. Carr clearly has little understanding of what these chaps go through."

The 37-year-old comic defended the joke and issued a statement, saying: "I've got nothing but respect for the young men and women who put their lives on the line for this country.I'm sorry if anyone was offended but that's the kind of comedy I do. If a silly joke draws attention to the plight of these servicemen then so much the better. My intention was only to make people laugh."

The line however, was not in his Apollo show on Sunday, and when a heckler asked if he knew any jokes about amputees, he replied: "Funnily enough I do. It's coming up in the second half but it's not the one that got me into trouble.... Servicemen are having a difficult time so I'm going to leave well alone if that's okay."

Photo credit: Ellis O'Brian

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