Gervais knocks tax exiles - Feb 12 2008
Ricky Gervais has hit out at tax exiles and the "disgraceful" celebrities who take part in charity events for self-promotion.

Briton's most high-profile tax exiles include Mick Jagger and Lewis Hamilton.

Ricky, 46, told the Radio Times: "I love paying tax. It helps justify how much I earn. There's something unsavoury about tax exiles. 'Pay your tax or f*** off'.

"I'm an atheist so I'm not going to be rewarded outside this life, but do you know what? - this sounds like another cliche - if you're nice to people, you feel good yourself. I want to sleep well and know I've led an honest life."

He also lashed out at fame-hungry celebrities who use charity appearances for their own benefit. He said: "Why would I go to Africa and film myself crying?

"Some do charity and you never hear about them; others - like me - do it because we're caught up in it; and loads do it who have a gig to sell out, or a record to boost.

"I've seen acts on Comic Relief whose tour starts the following day. It's disgraceful - but I won't name them."

He added: "I wasn't after world domination... I hoped The Office would be a million viewers' favourite show, not 10 million's tenth favourite. I don't want to be a supermarket chain. I want to be Faberge. Everyone I've admired has been an acquired taste - the Simpsons, Radiohead, David Bowie. Anything that captures everyone soon outstays its welcome."

He also said: "I despise those who worry if they're not in the paper every day."


Ricky surprised at win - Jan 15 2008
Ricky Gervais has said winning his third Golden Globe was "a surprise".

The comedian, who won the Best Series gong for Extras, told BBC Breakfast he was "very, very pleased" with his Extras win, adding: "Just because it’s my third, the shine doesn’t wear off."

He said: "It’s great because it’s the biggest TV awards show in the world so it’s still an honour. And it’s a big surprise - whatever anyone thinks, you’re never sure that you are going to win a Globe and an Emmy. They don’t tell you, they really don’t tell you - only the people with the envelopes know."

Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull then invited Ricky to deliver his acceptance speech - something he was unable to do for real because the ceremony was cancelled.

Gervais obliged and said: "I genuinely am surprised to be doing this speech. Thank you so much to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for this, my third Golden Globe.

"It will take pride of place with the other two, and sit next to the two Emmys as well, in front of the seven Baftas. Thank you so much."

The Office star said he did not mind not giving his speech at the ceremony.

"Genuinely, I wasn’t disappointed," he said, adding: "You know what, I go to awards shows when I can because I feel that it will be a slap in the face not to."

Ricky ’doesn’t care about fame’ - Dec 27 2007
He is one of Britain’s best-loved comedians and a bulging bank balance - but it seems Ricky Gervais couldn’t care less about his own fame.

The 46-year-old told The Sun: "I’m more famous than I should be. I was never proud of having money - it nearly ruined becoming a success for me."

The star reveald the only thing he has splashed out on is a security-tight new house in Hampstead, North London, which he shares with girlfriend Jane Fallon.

"I’ve turned it into one big panic room! It has steel shutters, just in case," he confessed. "It’s like James Bond - if I could have lasers on the gate I would.