Frankie Boyle condemned for ‘sick’ coronavirus death toll jokes

Comedian has been posting about fatalities in Britain and Boris Johnson’s hospital stay

Frankie Boyle has sparked a backlash on Twitter after posting a series of dark jokes related to coronavirus.

The comedian, who is known for his gallows humour, has drawn criticism for his recent tweets about the coronavirus death toll, Boris Johnson’s struggle with the illness, and press coverage of the pandemic.

In one tweet, which was described as “sick” by another Twitter user, Boyle wrote: “Campaign to get Big Ben to bong when we reach a million dead.”

“Have a bit of respect for the feelings of relatives and friends of the people who have lost their lives,” said one of the comments underneath the post. “Definitely not a subject to joke about.”

“Bro you used to be funny,” wrote another user. A third added: “I realise you're not really mocking the dead, but I think that is a bit too far.”

In a tweet following the prime minister’s recovery from the virus, Boyle said: “Of course I'm very glad that Boris Johnson didn't die in hospital, but I would like to see clawed hands rise from a vent in the ground and drag his living body into Hell.”

Commenters described the post as “disgusting” and “harsh”.

Another of Boyle’s tweets, in which he suggested the British press does not count care home residents among the dead, was also met with criticism.

One person wrote: “No they didn’t shut up.”

“Mind you used to be funny?” said another. “What happened to that?”