Overview
- Gervais posted a profanity-laced video alleging repeated rejections of Dutch Barn vodka adverts, citing slogans such as “Don’t forget your stab vest,” “Enjoy life. You’ll be dead soon,” and “One day, you’ll be underground for good.”
- Transport for London said it did not reject the adverts, stating the contested creatives were never referred to TfL or its partners and that alternative Dutch Barn ads have been approved and are running, with earlier feedback linked to Committees of Advertising Practice guidance.
- Announcing a change of approach, Gervais said he will sell directly to consumers and urged followers to join the brand’s mailing list with a promotion for a year’s supply.
- The rant gained large view counts and drew heightened attention after a serious stabbing on a Doncaster–King’s Cross train about five hours later, with British Transport Police later saying one person remained a suspect and multiple victims were hospitalized, including several with life-threatening injuries.
- Gervais followed up with a more restrained post thanking supporters, as coverage emphasized no official link between the adverts and the train attack.