Ellen DeGeneres has been slammed for comparing her coronavirus quarantine to jail.
WATCH: Ellen DeGeneres makes tasteless quarantine jail joke in now deleted video
The multi-millionaire TV host returned to her talk show on Monday April 6 after production was paused due to the pandemic.
However, the fanfare around her return to TV screens was overshadowed when she jokingly compared the time she had been spending at home to being locked up.
“One thing that I’ve learned from being in quarantine is that … this is like being in jail, is what it is,” the 62-year-old said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as she filmed from the living room of her $43 million mansion in Montecito, California.
“It’s mostly because I’ve been wearing the same clothes for 10 days and everyone in here is gay.”
She then doubled over with laughter and clapped her hands together, then added, “The jokes that I have!”
Fans were furious with her comments, and quickly jumped on Twitter to vent their frustrations, and Ellen received an onslaught of backlash.
“What a great look for Ellen as thousands of people sit in actual jail cells just hoping for the best without soap and basic protections,” one Twitter user wrote.
Another tweeted: “Ellen you quarantining in your mansion in designer sweats is nothing like prison.”
Some fans were thankful for Ellen’s jokes, and thanked her online for “holding our nation together and helping people however you can.”
Another tweeted: “Your show today made me smile and giggle and forget for the time being about my severe financial issues cause of this horrid situation.”
Last month, Ellen DeGeneres revealed that she wishes she had children as she self-isolated amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The popular talk show host called friends John Legend and Chrissy Teigen as well as Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel.
“John!” DeGeneres said as she called the singer from her lounge.
“What’s going on?” Ellen quizzed the singer. “Nothing much. Here’s Chrissy too!” Legend said, referring to his wife Chrissy Tiegen.
“Hey Chrissy what’s going on?” Ellen said to the brunette beauty “Nothing, just with the kids. Say hi Miles!”
“Hi Miles,” DeGeneres said adding, “I wish I had kids right now, I’m so bored.”
“Alright, well I just wanted to call and say hey,” Ellen said as she wrapped up the short call.
Ellen had earlier announced filming of her talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show would cease until March 30.
“We just want to take every precaution to ensure that we do our part to keep everyone healthy,” Degeneres wrote.
“I love you guys, and can’t wait to come back.
“I’m already bored.”
“To everyone who was looking forward to coming, I’m so sorry,” she said.
“But I’m doing this for the health of my fans, my staff & my crew.”
WATCH: Ellen DeGeneres announces her show’s return amid lockdown
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