Ricky Gervais

Kirsty Young's castaway this week is Ricky Gervais. In just twelve episodes, his show The Office changed the face of British television comedy. At its centre was the comic monster, David Brent, a middle-manager being filmed for a mock-documentary who saw the ever-present cameras as his route to popularity and fame. Ricky Gervais's performance was both excruciating and unmissable - one critic called the programme "among the most affecting and invigorating works of fiction since the turn of the century".

As he discusses with Kirsty Young, comedy was the language he grew up with - the youngest of four children, being able to come up with a gag or a smart rejoinder was the linguistic currency of his home. That, he says, is where the 'show-off performer' was born. Now with seven Baftas, two Golden Globes and an Emmy to his name, Ricky Gervais is gratified that his work is recognised and says his aim has always been to bring art into comedy.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Choices

1.

Bob Dylan

If You See Her Say Hello

Others who chose this artist

2.

Castaway's favourite

Cat Stevens

Lilywhite

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3.

Sex Pistols

Anarchy in the UK

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4.

Neil Young

After The Gold Rush

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5.

Radiohead

Bones

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6.

David Bowie

Letter to Hermione

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7.

Jimmy Webb

Galveston

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8.

Willie Nelson

Always on My Mind

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Book

A coffee table book of art by

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Luxury item

Vat of novocaine - a non-addictive pain-killer

Others who chose a similar luxury