People disgusted by 'vile' vandals who destroyed Ricky Gervais' After Life bench in Nottingham

Virgin Radio

23 May 2022, 11:02

'Disgusting' vandals have destroyed the After Life bench from Ricky Gervais’ hit TV show left to be used by locals in Nottingham.

Donated by Netflix, the bench at the Arboretum was being used as a place for people to go to sit and enjoy, especially if they were bereaved or suffering, and was one of 25 around the country.

Now a pile of wood on the floor with the sign ‘Hope is Everything’ sat on top, the Nottingham park bench ruins has left locals livid.

Vivian O'Boyle, 69, who lives in Highbury Vale, told the Nottingham Post: "My husband has just died, three weeks ago - I wanted to maybe donate a bench near here as we used to come and sit here every morning pretty much.

"I knew about the bench - I think it's disgusting, totally disgusting. I wonder what goes through people's heads, honestly. What is the need to do that?

“I think in some ways you have got to pity these people. You don't know what is going on in their lives and so you shouldn't make judgements but it is a horrible thing to do. 

“I still come here because I'm still trying to do things I used to do with my husband, I don't want to try and avoid everything.

"This is such a lovely, peaceful place. To think we are so close to the city centre is amazing, you can come here and listen to the birds and the church bells. It's really lovely."

Twitter users vented: "Sad, it is happening in so many places, I use the word feral quite often now in conversations."

A second added: "Absolutely disgusting."

A third barked: "No rules at home spills out on to the streets."

Another exclaimed: "What's wrong with people, they have NO respect anymore!!"

"Vile people. Should be ashamed!!" said on angry user.

After the fixtures were donated, Gervais said: “We hope the benches will create a lasting legacy for After Life, as well as become a place for people to visit, and we are thrilled to be associated with [suicide prevention charity] CALM and the great work they do.”

Feral, indeed...