Graham Linehan rips into Jason Manford over comedy cancel culture warning: 'They came for me - you said NOTHING!'

Mr Kimmel's late-night talk show was suspended this week after the host made comments about the "Maga gang" in relation to the reaction to political activist Charlie Kirk's assassination.

After suspect Tyler Robinson was arrested, Mr Kimmel said at the top of his show on Monday: "We had some new lows over the weekend with the Maga gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it.”

On Wednesday, his show was taken off air. In the days since, free speech debates have erupted across the globe, with President Donald Trump celebrating the move while other public figures, such as Ben Stiller and Michael Keaton, have argued it's a threat to free speech.

One man in the latter camp is clearly Mr Manford, who said on X on Friday evening: "Crikey! Mad over there atm! And it’s coming here too….first they came for the comedians!"

The seeming irony of Mr Manford's stance wasn't lost on several of his followers and fellow X users. Mr Linehan was one who was quick to point out a rather glaring problem with Mr Manford's point.

"Hi Jason! They came for me eight years ago and you said nothing. Why is that?" the comedy writer sarcastically asked, referring to his exclusion from the mainstream media over his views on transgender issues.

And Mr Linehan wasn't alone. "When you say first they came for the comedians, do you mean Andrew Lawrence, Konstantin Kisin, Dave Chapelle, Joe Rogan, Tyler Fischer, Bill Burr, Graham Linehan, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jerry Sadowitz etc? Did you stand up for those at the time? At all? Ever?" another X user asked.

Mr Manford replied: "Hmmm I’d say 2 of them have been arguably ‘cancelled’ and most of the others are some of the most popular and busiest comedians still working today, so not really applicable. Nice try, though, and I appreciate you listing them, as I didn’t know a couple of them. Cheers."

"Don't be stupid, he told outright lies. That's propaganda," another social media user argued, to be met with the blunt response from Mr Manford: "Nope."

Among the rest of the responses Mr Manford's post received were several similarly suggesting his fears over censorship and cancel culture were rather selective. "Just realised, you don't care about free speech, just your team," another X user argued.

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A fourth X user said: "That's right, Jason, they did. However, where were you when comedians on the right were being cancelled? You celebrated it, that's what!"

And a fifth argued: "Telling straight-up lies is absolutely free speech, the company that pays you thinking they want nothing to do with it is another matter. I agree with free speech, but I also agree that your employer has the right to not agree and to no longer want you to represent the brand." (sic)

Mr Manford wasn't the only mainstream comedian to face the wrath of Mr Linehan, however. Irish comic and late-night talk show host Patrick Kielty similarly faced rather scathing criticism from the IT Crowd writer.

Mr Linehan's dismay towards Mr Kielty centred on the monologue he delivered when opening RTE's The Late Late Show on Friday. "Hey, Jimmy. It's Patrick Kielty here, saying a big hello from Studio Four of RTE here in Dublin, Ireland, home to The Late Late Show for 60 years," he began.

"Now, during that time there have, of course, been many in power who've wanted our show off air and yet our bosses have never considered shutting us down. Tonight, we're extending the hand of free speech and friendship to let you know you're always welcome here.

"So if you ever need a studio, or a desk, or an audience, or a band, we're here for you. And most importantly, Jimmy, this is Ireland, so I can promise you can say whatever the f*** you want."

The crowd in attendance at the Friday recording burst into applause, but it's safe to say Mr Linehan wasn't quite as joyous by the solidarity shown with the so-called "cancelled" Mr Kimmel.

"The whole of RTE is trying to pretend I never existed, never wrote Father Ted, and wasn't arrested recently," he pointed out. "But here's @PatricKielty pretending to care about free speech."

As of Saturday afternoon, the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains uncertain as discussions among bosses continue.

However, sources close to the talk show told CNN that the crew will be paid through next week, while the future of the programme remains in limbo.