Ricky Gervais has sparked quite the reaction with a joke aimed at singer Justin Timberlake following his arrest in New York this week.
The SexyBack singer was arrested for driving while intoxicated and formally charged on Tuesday morning, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
Timberlake was in Sag Harbor, the Hamptons, when the arrest occurred after law enforcement pulled him over in his grey BMW for driving through a stop sign and failing to stay on the right side of the road.
A charging document states Timberlake's eyes were "bloodshot and glassy" and a "strong odour of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath" - he also exhibited slower and slurred speech.
Records state he refused a breathalyser test and he was soon released without bail after being charged.
Just hours after the news hit headlines, Gervais, 62, took to X, formerly Twitter, to poke fun at the 43 over the DWI charge.
Ricky Gervais is no stranger to sparking controversy with his jokes
PA
Gervais used his own vodka brand in the dig at Timberlake, penning to his 14.9 million followers: "@jtimberlake Did you get the bottle of Dutch Barn Vodka I sent you the other day?"
The brutal dig was met with laughs from many of Gervais's followers, including one who replied: "Things like Gervais trolling Timberlake is what makes Twitter so great."
A second applauded Gervais for capitalising on promoting his drinks brand: "That's some guerrilla marketing right there lmao."
However, others weren't too pleased with Gervais seemingly relishing in Timberlake's arrest.
.@jtimberlake Did you get the bottle of Dutch Barn Vodka I sent you the other day?
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) June 18, 2024
"Way too soon," one person argued in response, before a second called the remark "ruthless" and another hit back: "So wrong!" (sic)
Timberlake had been scheduled to perform for Chicago concertgoers on two dates later this week.
He is then billed to move to New York and perform two shows at Madison Square Gardens.
The singer is yet to issue a statement on the arrest at the time of writing, but sources have claimed he is still set on performing these gigs.
TMZ states that "sources with direct knowledge" have informed them that "JT will perform in Chicago starting Friday".
The publication adds: "We're told Justin has every intention to hit the stage in Chi-Town for both Friday and Saturday's shows."
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Justin Timberlake's mugshot was released on Tuesday
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This isn't the first time Gervais's social media antics involving his alcoholic beverage brand have hit headlines.
Earlier this year, he claimed he was "destroying" the brand "for a laugh" after putting out a series of ads unsuitable for TV.