Jason Manford slams “internet idiots” for Gary Barlow comments

Jason Manford has hit out at “internet idiots” after insensitive comments were made towards Gary Barlow in reply to one of the comedian’s Facebook statuses.

Barlow announced on August 6 that he and wife Dawn had lost their baby daughter Poppy, who was delivered stillborn.

While watching Take That perform at the Olympics Closing Ceremony, the comedian praised the X Factor judge’s bravery on the social networking site, calling him a “superstar”.

Following a number of replies to his status, Manford wrote an extensive blog post, in which he said that – while most of his fans are “funny” and “respectful” – some are “utterly horrendous”.

“I mean genuinely thick as s**t,” he wrote. “Heartless wastes of oxygen who I am ashamed have liked my page and my work. Don’t get me wrong, I like a bit of banter, I can take a joke, I can take an insult.

“Sometimes people go too far, sometimes people get a bit personal, but over the years I’ve dished it out and there is very little that anyone can say to me on here that has genuinely hurt me or upset me.”

Referring to comments from his fans on the Barlow-related status, he continued: “Most of these comments are in agreement but some, oh man, some will make you wince.

“What does anger me are people’s genuine opinions. A joke is a joke, we’ve all told an off colour joke to a close friend, knowing full well that it’s not you’re actual opinion. But some of the comments I saw in those 334 would make your blood run cold.”

He went on to discuss specific examples, arguing against those who suggested that Barlow was only performing for the money and others who said that he isn’t the only person to receive bad news.