Calls for Carr to quit in joke row.

A FORMER Army commander last night called for comedian Jimmy Carr to quit for making a joke about soldiers who have lost limbs.

MP Patrick Mercer, who chairs the Commons subcommittee on terrorism, said certain subjects should be "off-limits" for comics.

8 Out of 10 Cats host Carr stunned a 2500-strong audience by joking about troops who have been blown up on the front line.

He prompted outrage after telling the Manchester Apollo: "Say what you like about these servicemen amputees from Iraq and Afghanistan, but we're going to have a f****** good paralympic team in 2012."

Mr Mercer spoke to troops about the so-called gag and said they were "amazed by it".

Carr, 37, issued a statement after Friday's gaffe, apologising for any offence caused.

He said: "If a silly joke draws attention to the plight of these servicemen then so much the better.My intention was only to make people laugh." But Mr Mercer said: "It's not funny and this man's career should end right now.

"I understand his desire to shock with his comedy but there are certain subjects that you just can't make fun of - and one of those is the sacrifice of our troops, especially this close to Remembrance Sunday.

"It was a very, very tasteless mistake."

Angry Diane Dernie, mum of wounded war hero Ben Parkinson, said: "Soldiers are fighting for freedom of speech. I hope Mr Carr remembers that when he makes offensive jokes ridiculing them."

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth was said to be "furious"over Carr's joke.

He said: "Our armed forces put their lives on the line and deserve the utmost respect."

The joke also prompted a huge response on the Army Rumour Service website where many branded him a"smug prat".

CAPTION(S):

OFF-LIMITS: Mercer APOLOGY: Carr