Comedian Rosie Jones has voiced her candid thoughts on when comedy crosses the line and provided an update on how she’s been coping after being the target of a homophobic and ableist attack on a train.
In an exclusive interview with Attitude ahead of the release of the second season of Out of Order on Comedy Central, Jones didn’t hold back in addressing comedians who make insensitive jokes about the trans community.
“It’s the Ricky Gervaises, the Jimmy Carrs,” Jones began. “These privileged cisgender, straight white men read a newspaper and think, ‘Oh, people are talking about trans issues now, I can say something about that even though I’ve never lived it.’”
With a sharp retort, she continued, “With all due respect, shut the f**k up.” Jones’s comments came after Jimmy Carr’s recent show on October 10, 2025, where he praised transphobic Father Ted creator Graham Linehan, calling him “brave.”
Jones didn’t stop there. She went on to offer a guideline for telling responsible jokes, outlining three crucial steps:
- Who are you? Do you have lived experience, or know someone who does?
- Who is your joke about? What’s the intention—positive or negative? Are you punching up or down?
- Why are you telling it? Are you trying to spark a meaningful conversation or simply be controversial?
When it comes to jokes targeting trans people, Jones was resolute: “It’s none of their business. Stop telling cheap f**king jokes and leave it to the brilliant trans people who actually live that reality.”
Looking forward to the second season of Out of Order, Jones shared that her favorite episode so far is the Christmas special, featuring comedians John Richardson and Josh Riddickham. The episode was particularly special to her, as it felt like a role reversal, having previously worked as a researcher on 8 Out of 10 Cats with Richardson and The Last Leg with Riddickham.
For Jones, Out of Order represents one of her most prominent roles as a presenter. Beyond her work on Comedy Central’s Rosie Tries to Help and regular appearances on panel shows, it marks the first time she has been the main host of a program.
She reflected on how significant it would have been for her to see a queer woman with a disability hosting a show when she was younger. “Seeing someone like me—someone with a physical disability and from the LGBTQ+ community—being funny, in control, and owning her space, would have been revolutionary when I was growing up,” Jones said.
Her disability, she explained, influences the way she approaches the traditional panel-show format. Instead of sticking to the conventional roles of handling rules or voiceovers, she embraces her comedy persona, letting others take on certain tasks and adapting the show’s staging to suit her needs.
Jones also shared an emotional update regarding a traumatic event she experienced in October 2025. She and her friend, fellow comedian Lee Peart, were allegedly attacked on a train after a comedy night in Brighton. The attack, which police are still investigating, has continued to take a toll on Jones mentally and emotionally.
Reflecting on the attack, she said, “It was incredibly upsetting and shocking because all we were trying to do was get back from work.” She described the deep frustration of being targeted despite years of personal and professional growth. “I’ve worked hard for the past decade—through therapy, achieving my goals, writing books, setting up foundations, and working every day to make the world better. And yet, a stranger can remind me that, in some ways, I’m still a victim,” Jones said.
The incident, she noted, highlights how much further society has to go in terms of recognizing and respecting both disabled and queer individuals.
Season 2 of Out of Order will air on Comedy Central at 9pm on January 5, 2026.
