Ricky Gervais has issued a satirical response to the controversy at Glastonbury, which saw several acts use their platform to make political statements, including a pair which are being investigated by police.
During their performance on the West Holts Stage, London-based punk duo Bob Vylan displayed messages reading: "Free Palestine. United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a ‘conflict’."
They led the crowd in chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF,” with frontman Bobby Vylan concluding: “From the river to the sea Palestine must be, will be, free.”
The band also voiced support for Irish rap group Kneecap, who had faced controversy ahead of their appearance.
Following the performance, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were reviewing video footage to assess whether any criminal offences were committed.
Police have also confirmed they are reviewing comments made during Kneecap’s performance as part of the same investigation.
Weighing in on the controversy via his social media accounts, Ricky Gervais posted a photo from his viral 2020 Golden Globes speech, featuring a text overlay that read: “You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything.”
The phrase, now widely quoted, comes from his scathing monologue five years ago, where he famously took aim at Hollywood's hypocrisy, leaving many celebrity attendees visibly stunned.
MORE LIKE THIS:
- Ricky Gervais, 63, demands 'you MUST have free speech' as he delivers new verdict on 'offended' modern audiences
- Bob Vylan issue statement 24 hours on from Glastonbury controversy after facing 'support and hatred'
- Glastonbury 'appalled' by Bob Vylan's 'antisemitic' chanting as festival admits rapper 'crossed a line'
Ricky Gervais during his Golden Globes 2020 speech
GETTY
During that speech, Gervais tackled a range of topics, including racism in the film industry, the dominance of streaming services like Netflix over traditional cinema, and made pointed jokes about Jeffrey Epstein and scandals within the Catholic Church.
He ended with a blunt message to the stars in the room, saying: “If you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech.
“You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.
“So if you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God and f*** off, OK?"
His post was pointedly captioned, “Maybe I should host a music award next,” followed by a laughing face emoji.
Bob Vylan and Kneecap's Glastonbury performances are being 'assessed' by police GETTYOther artists who used their Glastonbury performances to make political statements included musician Nadine Shah, who played in front of a backdrop showing images of war-torn Gaza and later read out an open letter in support of Palestine Action.
Meanwhile, Kate Nash delivered a controversial Saturday night set that featured an expletive-filled speech targeting several high-profile figures, with a focus on transgender rights and feminism.
Across the festival grounds, demonstrations and visual protests targeted prominent figures such as billionaire Elon Musk.
Activist group Led By Donkeys installed a billboard depicting Musk inside a rocket, with US President Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin, Jeff Bezos, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, and author JK Rowling lined up to board.
The accompanying slogan read: “Send them to Mars… while we party on Earth.”
Most Read
