'We are f---ing done here': Comedian John Oliver 'quits' TV over Russell Crowe's koala chlamydia ward joke

Late-night talk show host John Oliver has announced he would be "departing" from his show Last Week Tonight following a tweet by Australian actor Russell Crowe.

Oliver, who revealed last month he was behind the $9000 purchase of a groin-protecting jock strap worn by Crowe in the film Cinderella Man – alongside a number of other items at a memorabilia auction – was thanked by the actor in a tweet shortly after.

"I think this is such a wonderful random act of kindness that I am planning now on how to best used the @iamjohnoliver money he spent on groin protectors and such," Crowe wrote on April 16.

"Given his often shown genuine love for Australians and Australia, it’s got to be something special.”

READ MORE: Russell Crowe's post-divorce auction rakes in $3.7 million

Then last week Crowe posted a video starring the Irwin family at Australia Zoo.

Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin thank Oliver for his purchases, claiming his actions were "helping in the fight (against) chlamydia".

"A plaque has been organised in your honour," Robert said, before the family unveiled the item in question, bearing the title "The John Oliver Koala Chlamydia Ward".

Oliver's airing of the video on the latest episode of Last Week Tonight was met with cheers from the audience.

"Are you not entertained?" Oliver asked.

READ MORE: Russell Crowe shells out $50K to help turtles

Oliver then points to the placard as the culmination of his TV career.

“Back when this show started, I wrote down my one and only goal for it...a koala chlamydia ward," he said.

"What I’m saying here is, we have accomplished everything we set out to do on this show, so we are f---ing done here.”

Oliver immediately produces a box, packing his belongings into it.

The US comedian's tongue-in-cheek humour drew speculation on social media, with some users uncertain of whether to take the jest in earnest.

Earlier this year Oliver lambasted Barnaby Joyce for his "hypocritical" appeal to "family values", following revelations the former deputy prime minister had an affair with former media advisor Vikki Campion.

Koala chlamydia is a health condition that can cause blindness, infections and pneumonia.