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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Emma Wilson

Jimmy Carr's latest stand-up show surrounded by protesters after Holocaust joke

Jimmy Carr 's latest stand-up show in Cambridge was surrounded by protesters after he made an offensive joke about the Holocaust.

The comedian has faced a fierce backlash after his comments about Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in Netflix comedy special, His Dark Material, went viral.

In the clip, Jimmy attempts to crack a bleak joke about the Holocaust - in which six million Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazis overseen by Adolf Hitler - as he took aim at the thousands of Gypsies who were also killed by the regime.

“When people talk about the Holocaust, they talk about the tragedy and horror of six million Jewish lives being lost to the Nazi war machine. But they never mention the thousands of Gypsies that were killed by the Nazis,” he told the audience.

“No one ever wants to talk about that, because no one ever wants to talk about the positives."

Protesters gathered outside the venue as Jimmy Carr performed (mirror.co.uk)

His comments prompted anger, and his show at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge on Wednesday was met with more than 100 protesters outside the venue.

Cambridge Stand Up To Racism organised the demonstration, and people gathered holding large placards and speakers, chanting: “Out, Carr, out!”

“We need to inform him that his vile racist jokes are not welcome in Cambridge. Our GRT communities are being battered by our government and we can't allow this further outrage to go by unmarked,” a post shared on the group's Facebook page read.

The controversial funnyman hit the headlines with his latest comments (Matt Frost)

Protesters blocked fire exits and banged drums, according to CambridgeshireLive .

The venue, located on Wheeler Street, was lit up with the colours of the Romani flag, and the city council confirmed the Corn Exchange would be lit up as a mark of solidarity.

Leaflets detailing abuse and racism towards Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities were also distributed.

Jimmy has so far refused to apologise (nme/netflix)

“I am absolutely disgusted, raging, at Jimmy Carr's comments about Jewish people, Travelling people, Gypsy people, gay people, and disabled people,” protester Martin Ward said.

“We're still waiting for an apology from you,” he fumed.

Jimmy’s comments have been condemned by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the Auschwitz Memorial and Hope Not Hate, and Downing Street even waded into the row, calling the comedian’s comments “deeply disturbing”.

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