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<\/p>\nKeith Duffy has declared that comedy has become \u201cway too woke\u201d as the Boyzone star defended comedians such as Jimmy Carr and Ricky Gervais in the ongoing free speech debate.<\/p>\n
The singer and actor, 50, argued that audiences who dislike controversial comedians should simply \u201cnot watch them\u201d rather than attempt to censor their material.<\/p>\n
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Mr Duffy said: \u201cI think it\u2019s become way too woke.<\/p>\n
“I think comedy is exactly that. It\u2019s fun, it\u2019s lighting the mood, it\u2019s giving people the opportunity to laugh out loud.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keith Duffy rose to fame as part of Boyzone in 1994<\/p>\n
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The comments came after the official Boyzone Instagram account recently shared a post featuring Mr Carr, describing him as one of the group\u2019s \u201cheroes\u201d.<\/p>\n
Asked whether British comedy had become too politically correct, Mr Duffy insisted freedom of speech in comedy should remain protected.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIf you don\u2019t like his style of comedy, well then don\u2019t watch him.<\/p>\n
“If you don\u2019t like Ricky Gervais, don\u2019t watch him. You find what you like and watch that.<\/p>\n
![\"Keith](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/keith-duffy.jpg\")
The singer told GB News that comedy has become too ‘woke’<\/p>\n
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\u201cBut I certainly think that freedom of speech and comedy should not be touched.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former Boyzone star stressed he supported people expressing themselves however they wished, but believed comedy should still be allowed to push boundaries.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m all up for woke. I\u2019m all up for whatever people want to be themselves.<\/p>\n
“I wouldn\u2019t judge anybody,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody\u2019s entitled to present themselves however they like, and I would never insult them.<\/p>\n
“But I have to say, in comedy, it should be left there. If you don\u2019t like it, don\u2019t watch it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Duffy added: \u201cThey\u2019re not going out to insult people. They\u2019re making light of a situation and helping people laugh. Laughing is the best medicine in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in the interview, the singer reflected on how dramatically the entertainment industry has changed since Working My Way Back to You launched Boyzone into stardom more than three decades ago.<\/p>\n
Mr Duffy said streaming platforms and social media had transformed the music business, arguing modern artists face far greater pressures than previous generations.<\/p>\n
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