Posted: 22:46, August 20, 2022 | Updated: 23:04, 20 August 2022
Comedian Ricky Gervais has reportedly beefed up his security to protect him from potential attackers following the stabbing of Salman Rushdie last week. The creator of The Office and After Life is currently showing new material at Soho’s tiny Leicester Square Theatre, where audience members sit meters away from the comics. Sir Salman, 75, was stabbed up to 15 times by an American Islamist believed to be sympathetic to the Iranian government’s 1989 assassination order against the author of the Satanic Verses. Gervais’ heightened security also comes just months after fellow comedian Dave Chappelle was attacked on stage by a knifeman wielding a fake gun. Gervais reportedly “spared no expense” and banned glasses and bottles from the venue The 61-year-old Briton has attracted his share of critics after making controversial jokes in recent stand-up tributes to transgender people. LGBT+ rights group Glaad described material in Netflix’s recent SuperNature special as “dangerous, anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes”. A source close to Gervais told the Sun: “Ricky is not taking any chances. Rushdie (pictured in 2019) was attacked at a literary event in New York. He is expected to survive the attack “He has employed his own security guards for the concerts so he can laugh and relax knowing he is safe. “He has spared no expense. They are the real deal and are stationed in the aisles and around the stage, keeping a close eye on audience members. No glasses or bottles are served at the venue to ensure maximum safety, the insider added. MailOnline has contacted Ricky Gervais’ representatives for further comment.
