Ricky Gervais: I am grounded because I was 40 and already fat when I found fame
By Sean O'Grady, Press Association Deputy Entertainment Editor
Ricky Gervais believes he has stayed grounded despite his success because he did not become famous until he was 40 and “already fat”.
The comedian, 65, became well-known when he co-created and starred in sitcom The Office, which premiered in 2001 when he was 40.
The series, which had two series, was broadcast in more than 80 countries and is regarded by many as one of the best TV shows of all time.
Gervais appeared on ITV's This Morning on Friday, where co-host Josie Gibson asked him how he stays grounded despite his success and being “absolutely loaded”.
He said: “Am I grounded? I don’t know. I think it’s because I made it when I was 40.
“If you make it when you’re 18, it changes you. I was already fat, and I hated the world.
“And you’ve got the same friends and family as well, I don’t think I could be anything other than this.”
The actor was promoting his Netflix adult animated series Alley Cats, which also features the voices of Tom Basden, Diane Morgan and Natalie Cassidy.
Speaking about recording the show, Gervais said: “Usually with animation you’re alone in a booth, this, we were all in the same room at the same time. That’s why it feels like mates talking and swearing.”
Gervais got the idea for the series, which is about a group of feral cats, while filming his show After Life, but said it took “years” to get commissioned.
Before The Office, Gervais had a brief music career in the 1980s as part of the synth pop duo Seona Dancing, but they were dropped by their label after a lack of chart success.
He also worked as the entertainments manager for the University of London Union and at the alternative radio station Xfm, where he hired his eventual The Office co-creator Stephen Merchant as his assistant.
Gervais, who has also worked as a stand-up comedian since the late 1990s, later created and starred in the shows Extras, Life’s Too Short and After Life.
