Ricky Gervais has stated that "there is no justification" that excuses Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.

The Men in Black actor took to the stage during the prestigious ceremony to physically confront Rock, after the comedian made a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

"Jada, I love ya! G.I. Jane 2 - can't wait to see it," 57-year-old Rock said after taking to the stage. The joke was seemingly a comment on Pinkett Smith's shaved head, which resembled Demi Moore's buzzcut in the 1997 movie G.I. Jane.

Pinkett Smith had previously spoken out about her battles with alopecia, which led to many social media users saying that Rock had the slap coming.

However, it would appear as if comedian Ricky Gervais strongly disagrees.

You can hear Gervais' comments in the video below:

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During a live Q&A session on Sunday, the After Life creator responded to fan questions about the incident. Speaking to his 4.7 million followers, he said: "I was really annoyed."

The Office star continued: "I don't know what's going on in [Smith's] life, I don't know why he did it. No one knows why he did it. He's got issues."

"Obviously it was double shocking that it happened at the Oscars with everyone in tuxedos," 60-year-old Gervais added. "Of course, you see that thing in bars on a Saturday night - but not the most privileged people on the planet slapping each other."

Gervais then said: "There is no justification. That annoyed me - when people were saying, 'Oh he deserved it. You shouldn't tell jokes about people.'"

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Recalling comments he has seen on social media defending Smith, Gervais continnued: "I blocked someone the other day for saying, 'No, words are violence too.' No, they're not. No, they're not... Violence is violence. Words aren't violence."

"But, the main thing about it was - whatever his justification, whether you think he deserved it, whether you think words are violence, any of that - Chris Rock weighs about 140 pounds. He's the most gentle man," Gervaid added.

Speaking about the joke in particular, the Extras star said: "That was like the tamest joke I would ever have told," before adding:

"Someone said it was joking about her disability... well I'm going a bit thin so I'm disabled. That means I can park right up next to Tescos now. And I fat... that's a disease. I'm fat and balding. I should get f*****g benefits."

Of course, Gervais trended on social media last week after he said during a show in London: "People were going 'What would have happened if Ricky Gervais had been (hosting)?'"

"Well, nothing," he continued, before delivering the punchline: "I would not have made a joke about his wife’s hair. I would have made a joke about her boyfriend."

Gervais, never change!

Featured image credit: PA Images / Alamy

Ricky Gervais says 'there is no justification' for Will Smith slapping Chris Rock