Ricky Gervais bans ice in drinks at his stand-up shows 

Ricky Gervais has banned ice from being served in drinks at his stand-up shows because the clinking of the cubes in glasses ruins his flow.

The new rule, which according to reports, came into force during his recent warm-up stint at London’s Leicester Square Theatre, has left fans baffled while feeling the heat.

Upon ordering a drink prior to a show featuring the comic, staff reportedly told one theatregoer: “I’m sorry, we can’t serve ice in any of our drinks, Ricky has told us not to. He says he doesn’t like the noise.”

In response to the ban, an audience member who noted how Gervais was a “perfectionist” added: “He needs to chill out”.

In the past, the After Life star has also been known to be irritated and distracted by fans snacking on food at his shows and has called them out before, asking: “Didn’t have your dinner?” Before turning to the audience to complain: “He’s having a f***ing picnic.”

The tiny Leicester Square Theatre, where Gervais will be performing, is so small that members of the audience sit just a few feet away from the stage leading to noises in the stalls also being heard on-stage, sometimes disrupting performances and throwing performers off from their lines. As such, it has been alleged that a decision for ice to not be served in drinks for Gervais’ stint at the venue has been made.

It is yet to be disclosed whether heckling and laughing is likely to be banned at his future shows too.