Jimmy Carr slammed for Down syndrome joke

Jimmy Carr has been blasted for making a joke about Down syndrome sufferers on a recent tour date.

The 8 Out Of 10 Cats comedian has provoked outrage amongst disability groups for asking the audience at a show in Cheshire: "Why are they called the Sunshine Variety coaches when all the kids on them look the f**king same?"

One audience member at Warrington's Parr Hall theater told The Sun: "There was some laughter but I think most people agreed that it was crass. We all know he can be controversial but this joke overstepped the mark."

Variety Club representative Malcolm Brenner condemned Carr's joke, arguing: "He is ridiculing children with Down syndrome - you can't get much lower than that."

A spokesperson for Down Syndrome Education International added: "Comedy is not about sneering, jeering or bullying those least able to defend themselves."

Carr, however, attempted to play down the emerging controversy, saying that countless more audience members had not been offended by his comments.

"It was the 238th gig of the tour and nobody has complained so far," he said. "I'm sorry to anyone who came and was offended."

Speaking to Digital Spy this week, Carr claimed to have a "great relationship" with the press, but objected to the media's tendency to dictate comedy standards.

"Sometimes you get it wrong, sometimes you do overstep the mark," he said. "And that's fine, that's kind of the balance. But ultimately I don't like giving papers the power to decide what is and what isn't acceptable."

Carr recently apologised for tweeting a joke about a car crash days after the M5 disaster.

> Jimmy Carr: 'I never feel guilty for my jokes'

Watch Jimmy Carr talk to Digital Spy below: