Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais being interviewed by Lawrence Pollard

Listen Listen 26 mins

Lawrence Pollard interviews comedian Ricky Gervais, star of international TV hit The Office in a special edition of The Strand.

Gervais talks to Pollard about his character David Brent, and says that when The Office is re-made in other countries, Brent is always cast as a short fat bloke in his 40s. Gervais insists it wouldn't be as funny if the character was unfeasibly handsome, because "comedy is about empathy".

Questioned about how far he's willing to push the boundaries of taste with his comedy - his brand of humour is full of uncomfortable moments around everything from race and disability to paedophilia and poverty - Gervais remains adamant that "he's the target and people's prejudices are the target". He says he picks obvious people to send up, like Nelson Mandela and Stephen Hawking, so that there's no question that ignorance is the target.

Gervais insists he has to justify every joke, because he's "not a comedian who thinks comedy is your conscience taking the day off".

On the subject of fame, Gervais admits that he's slowly getting used to being a celebrity. Yet he claims that he gets no joy from seeing his "fat face on the telly" and there are still days when he feels uncomfortable about being recognized on the street.

But he accepts he's able to do what he likes from the time he wakes up until he goes to bed, which is, according to Bob Dylan, the hallmark of a successful man.