Coronavirus: Ricky Gervais criticises celebrities for complaining about lockdown
'These people are doing 14-hour shifts and not complaining', comedian says of NHS workers
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Your support makes all the difference.Ricky Gervais has criticised celebrities who are complaining about having to stay at home during lockdown from the comfort of their "mansions".
The After Life star made the comments to highlight the bravery of NHS workers who are risking their lives to battle coronavirus.
Speaking to The Sun, Gervais said that he never wants to hear people “moaning about the welfare state again”, adding that healthcare workers, such as nurses and porters, should be given more recognition.
“These people are doing 14-hour shifts and not complaining. Wearing masks, and being left with sores, after risking their own health and their families’ health selflessly,” Gervais said.
“But then I see someone complaining about being in a mansion with a swimming pool. And, you know, honestly, I just don’t want to hear it.”
The comedian’s comments come after a number of celebrities have faced backlash for their behaviour on social media during the coronavirus outbreak.
Last month, singer Sam Smith was criticised for posting a photo of themselves looking distressed while sitting on the steps of their home on Instagram after choosing to self-isolate after displaying symptoms.
The star posted the image alongside the caption: “Stages of quarantine meltdown”.
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan criticised the singer on Twitter, writing: “FFS. I can't take any more of this celebrity attention-seeking bulls**t.
”Get a grip, the lot of you.”
Meanwhile, other social media users accused Smith of being "privileged" and others said they found it difficult to empathise with them.
Elsewhere, a number of celebrities have been criticised for “fanning the flames” of conspiracy theories linking 5G technology to coronavirus including Actor Woody Harrelson, This Morning host Eamonn Holmes and former Dancing on Ice judge Jason Gardiner.
On Monday, Holmes claimed that the media had been too quick to dismiss the theory as false “when they don’t know it’s not true”.
His remarks came during a discussion of fake news with co-host and wife Ruth Langsford and journalist Alice Beer.
“No one should attack or damage or do anything like that, but it’s very easy to say it’s not true because it suits the state narrative,” Holmes said.
“That’s all I would say, as someone with an enquiring mind.”
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