Stand-up comedian Micky Flanagan is considering legal action against directory enquiry service 118 118 over an advert which allegedly uses one of his jokes.
The Guardian reports that the joke seen on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow “plays on the idea that people have different levels of going out – popping out for a drink or going "out out" for a big night” and the 118 118 advert features an animated character “using what Flanagan claims are his catchphrases.”
According to Christian Knowles, Flanagan’s agent, a complaint had previously been lodged to the Advertising Standards Authority but although they admitted that the advert “clearly mimics your client's idea…we don't believe that we could reasonably argue that the ad actually imitates Micky Flanagan.”
Knowles is now seeking legal action. In a statement he said "I have watched the 118 118 and Micky's clip on YouTube back to back umpteen times and I genuinely believe they have taken it and lifted it."
A spokesman on behalf of 118 118’s parent company The Number UK replied: "While Mr Flanagan's act is very funny, he himself admits that he did not invent the idea of a distinction between 'going out' and 'going out out', which is a common and widely used expression."
They argued that repeating the words echo’s the repetition of their number 118 118.
Watch Micky Flanagan at The Comedy Store Wednesday 18th at 10pm.
Copyright : Comedy Central UK