Ricky Gervais: “I’m more famous than I should be”

Comedian Ricky Gervais will grace our screens tonight with the last ever episode of Extras - all about the perils of fame and fortune.

The special Christmas special, which follows Gervais' character, desperate actor Andy Millman, through the extraordinary lengths he’ll go to just to cling on to his celebrity status, leads Gervais - who recently revealed he was embarrassed by his wealth, to say he couldn't care less about his own celebrity status.

“I’m more famous than I should be,” he says. “I was never proud of having money — it nearly ruined becoming a success for me.”

Despite the huge success of The Office & Extras - and a collection of awards to turn any Hollywood luvvie green with envy, Ricky reveals he doesn't watch his own shows - adding that his family would give him a slap if he got too big for his boots.

In fact, the only thing that 46-year-old Gervais HAS splashed out on is a new home in Hampstead, North London, to share with girlfriend Jane Fallon and their cat Colin.

The security-conscious star says: “I’ve turned it into one big panic room! It has steel shutters, just in case. It’s like James Bond — if I could have lasers on the gate I would.

"We’ve already got the security cameras. Actually, if you come near my house I can put you on YouTube!”

Ricky - who has just returned from filming 'Ghost Town' in New York - where he plays dentist Bertram Pincus, spoke about his role in the romantic comedy: “Bertram is quite Scrooge-like. He dies for a few minutes on the operating table during an embarrassing procedure and when he wakes up he can see ghosts, who start to drive him mad.

“So he does a deal with the main ghost, played by Greg Kinnear, who will keep them off his back as long as he breaks up his widow Tea Leoni’s new romance.”

Ricky - famous for his 'David Brent' character in The Office, says that he likes New York so much, he and Jane have been looking for a pad in Manhattan, adding: “I think I’ll die in England, not too soon I hope! But the second best place in the world is New York.”

Ricky also revealed that despite having a the bank balance the size of a king's ransom, as well as a host of celebrity pals including movie legend Steven Spielberg, he insists: “My values really haven’t changed. If you knew my family and friends and Jane you’d know that I can never get away with anything.

“My feet are firmly on the ground. If I ever started being starry, I’d get a slap. I’m more famous than I deserve to be.”

He adds: “Obviously, my circumstances have changed. I don’t work in a normal environment any more really.

“I’ve had the same five friends for 20 years. I’ve got some new friends and a lot are in the media but that’s because it’s my job now.

“People think it’s odd that I know David Bowie. It’s not odd. I’ve worked with these people . . . it’s like saying it’s odd I know Martin Freeman.

“It would be odd if I only had famous friends. Now that would be suspicious.”

"There’s an obvious theme arising here, he laughed. “I think the Beckhams are famous enough now. They’re probably a very sweet couple — but really! They don’t need to do any more photo sessions.

“I think that when fame is your job that’s a problem. It’s bizarre. Sometimes I see people and think, ‘What are you doing this for?’”