And the award goes to... Ricky Gervais

Born 25th June 1961, this perennially popular English actor, comedian and writer (not forgetting global ambassador for animal welfare) recently drew the curtain on his award-winning Netflix series After Life.

The comedy/drama, a sublimely-performed, titled Armageddon. Gervais reflects; “I’m treating it long-form rumination on grief, resilience and like it’s my last show ever”. The set focuses on the foul language at once showcased the frailty end of days and how civilisation will destroy itself of existence and encouraged its audience to either through media stupidity or climate collapse... experience each day to the full... something we perhaps both. A staunch atheist, Gervais has always can all relate to, especially in light of a global been fascinating for the way his impatience, cynicism pandemic which hit pause on so many of our and occasional forays into nihilism rub up against his lives. Arriving from relative obscurity with a roar optimism and genuine love of life and nature – When (and more than a few knowing looks to asked to name his greatest achievement, he camera), Gervais’s hit 2001 mockumentary “You won’t responded “Working my way up from nothing sitcom The Office redefined the comedy burn in hell. without punching anyone in the face.” game whilst perfectly satirising the newly emerging reality TV format, creating But be nice … and his greatest regret? “That I didn’t punch more people in the face.” a gold standard at home in the UK and anyway.” When quizzed on his most marked spawning a long-running, mega-hit characteristic, he responded, “I’d like to say American version. Following his early success it’s my intelligence, wit, integrity, and charm. But with the celebrity-endorsed media-skewing it’s probably for others to decide. They’d say cocky,

Extras, Gervais (and writing/directing outspoken, troublemaker”. partner and all-around tall person Stephen Merchant) had truly arrived. His sold-out Away from work, he’s a recent convert to veganism, stand-up shows, including Animals, Politics citing his burgeoning influence with a younger and Fame simultaneously established audience demographic (15 million Twitter followers) as him as a prodigious stage talent, whilst crucial to the future well-being of animals. His disdain his production work and acting kept his towards bullfighting, puppy farms, animal testing and industry profile at a high, occasionally trophy hunting are well documented. Gervais recently courting controversy for his outspoken made headlines when he took a sideways swipe at approach to humour and what is and the head of the Catholic church, Pope Francis, who’d isn’t acceptable to joke about (most controversially branded people choosing to keep pets stuff is apparently!!). Despite a rather than to have children as “selfish”. The star and storied career spanning two his long term partner Jane Fallon have no children decades, nothing could have but share their home with feline fur baby “Pickle”. prepared him for the success Branding the Pope’s opinions as “ridiculous”, fans may of After Life. With a worldwide have been clamouring for Gervais to settle things in audience of over 100 million, the boxing ring once more, following his charity bout it remains Gervais’s only with Grant Bovey some years back, but we won’t dalliance into a third series, hold our breath on that one. For his part, Gervais has much to the delight of fans never expressed disdain for children themselves, just who couldn’t get enough of the expectation that everyone should want them or the mesmerising tightrope act it be as excited about them as parents themselves are. managed to walk between tragedy When asked what his idea of perfect happiness is, the and comedy. Regardless of whether comedian says, “Playing with a dog.... And we’re both you cried tears of hilarity or sadness, it’s very drunk”. likely you cried. Especially when Gervais all-butconfirmed there wouln’t be a fourth season. The Not content with some mild pope bashing, Gervais courted perfect ending to season three left little room for more (mock) outrage by decrying the Queen’s new year’s that to be a credible proposition. honours list, stating that the gongs should not be handed out to celebrities merely doing what they already love The recipient of an impressive array of Baftas, (and being paid handsomely for), but rather awarded

Emmys and Golden Globes for his sophisticated to citizens making a daily difference for less salubrious mix of insult-laden, observational comedy and accolades, such as health workers and care home staff! genuine, insightful human drama on both stage and screen, the star is now set to return to As if we didn’t love him enough already! stand up with his latest offering, the aptly-