Ricky Gervais employs ten security for jobs after outrage over Netflix’s trans comments

• Ricky Gervais accused of making fun of transsexual individuals in TV show Supernature.
• Source said he couldn’t ‘take any chances’ after backlash against his comments.
• Security guards had their first outing this week in a low-key warm-up appearance.

Ricky Gervais has recruited 10 security staff after his comments about transgender people in a TV show caused uproar. A source said he couldn’t ‘take any chances’.

Comic After being accused of making fun of transsexual individuals in a TV comedy, Ricky Gervais has recruited bodyguards for his stand-up shows.

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Last week, the actor sparked a stir with comments he made in the Netflix one-off programme Supernature.

Now, Gervais, 59, has enlisted the help of ten security guards, who had their first outing this week in a low-key warm-up appearance for a possible series of appearances.

Following a stage attack on US comedian Dave Chapelle, 48, at the Hollywood Bowl last month after his own Netflix special was accused of being transphobic, a source said he couldn’t “take any chances.”

He was knocked to the ground on stage by a man wielding a toy gun with a knife, but he was unharmed.

The Gervais team is thought to be worth up to £10,000 every night.

At The Office star’s show at London’s Leicester Square Theatre, they emerged in black suits with earpieces. Throughout his performance, the guards in the aisles and on stage flanked him and searched the audience.

All bags were to be examined, and no one was allowed to bring bottles into their seats, according to the organisers.

One member of staff said: “There’s concern there might be trouble from trans activists.

“If I were him, you can’t be too careful. Especially not at the moment.” Gervais joked to the audience: “I have some new thoughts – I can’t help it, they just arrive. I say it and then Netflix put it out and none of it’s my fault.

“Supernature dropped on Netflix only a week ago and there’s this big backlash and got all people arguing but I like to keep out of it.

“Everyone was really cross with me with people saying you can’t say that – but I can, I did. Yes, I did. And then it became the most-watched special of the year, so I’ve learned my lesson.”

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He added, to much laughter: “I’m like that guy in a Western who starts a fight and then crawls out of the bar.”

A new Gervais Netflix special is expected to be released early next year.