Comedian Andrew Lawrence has reignited outrage after making a tasteless joke about the Liverpool FC crowd crash incident on social media, dividing public opinion and reigniting debates around the boundaries of comedic freedom and social responsibility.
A comedian has sparked outrage once more following a highly inappropriate joke about a tragic incident at a Liverpool FC parade, during which a car drove into a crowd, injuring 79 people, including children. Andrew Lawrence, who has a history of controversial remarks, took to social media platform X to make a tasteless comment: "Let's be honest, a lot of scousers threw themselves in front of that car because it was the only way to cling on to their disability benefits." This comment has provoked a wave of backlash, with many users labelling it as callous and unacceptable.
Reactions to Lawrence's comments have been starkly divided. While some have condemned him, with one user stating, "This isn’t a joke. This is abuse about a collective group of people," others have come to his defence, arguing in favour of his right to express humour, regardless of the outrage it elicits. A supporter claimed, "This is exactly what comedians need to do when the baying mob comes for them," reflecting a belief among some that an artist's freedom of expression should remain unrestrained, even in the face of controversy.
Lawrence's history of contentious humour is well-documented. He faced significant backlash in the past after making racist jokes about England's Black footballers following the team’s defeat in the Euro 2020 final, which resulted in numerous venue cancellations and the termination of his agent. Initially, he expressed some regret over his racially charged tweets, but this incident continues to shadow his career and has seemingly shaped his current approach to comedy.
In conversations about the nature of comedy, Lawrence has previously noted the complexities involved in making jokes about sensitive subjects, stating that while not all topics are inherently funny, there can be humour in the reactions they provoke. However, his past experiences have led many to question the appropriateness of his current act, especially in light of recent tragedies.
The recent assault on the dignity of Liverpool fans raises deeper questions about the balance between comedic freedom and social responsibility. It appears that Lawrence is willing to double down on his provocative style, and this latest episode serves as a stark reminder of how comedy can both entertain and offend, as comedians navigate the fine line between satire and insensitivity.
Amidst the uproar, the conversation around what constitutes acceptable humour continues to evolve, with many calling for comedians to tread carefully in these sensitive times. As social media amplifies voices on both sides, Lawrence remains a polarising figure, standing at an intersection of comedy, controversy, and critical discourse.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references a recent incident on 26 May 2025, where a car struck pedestrians during Liverpool FC's victory parade. The comedian's comment about the incident was made shortly after, indicating timely reporting. However, the Express article was published on 28 May 2025, two days after the incident, which is acceptable for news reporting. No evidence suggests the content is recycled or republished from low-quality sites. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The direct quotes attributed to the comedian and social media users are not found in earlier material, suggesting they are original or exclusive. However, without direct access to the comedian's social media posts, it's challenging to verify the authenticity of the quotes. The absence of earlier matches raises the score but also flags the content as potentially original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a reputable UK news outlet. However, the Express has faced criticism for sensationalism and inaccuracies in the past, which may affect its reliability. The comedian's history of controversial remarks is well-documented, with previous incidents leading to venue cancellations and termination of his agent. The Express's coverage of these events adds credibility to the report.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative's claims align with recent events, including the Liverpool parade incident and the comedian's controversial remarks. The Express's coverage of these events adds credibility to the report. The language and tone are consistent with UK news reporting standards. No excessive or off-topic details are present, and the tone is appropriately serious given the subject matter.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative provides timely and plausible coverage of the comedian's controversial remarks following the Liverpool parade incident. While the source is generally reputable, past criticisms of the Express warrant a medium confidence rating. The absence of earlier matches for the quotes suggests originality, but without direct access to the comedian's social media posts, full verification is challenging.
