The Reading Room

• Name: Ricky Gervais
• Born: 25th June 1961
• Home Town: Reading
• Pets: A cat named Ollie and a salamander named Tal
• Favourite Sitcoms: The Simpsons, Seinfield, The Larry Sanders Show
• Awards Won: Many! Including..Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and a Nibby!
• Featured Title: Flanimals Box Set
• See all titles from Ricky

So there I was performing in Ipswich on my record-breaking Fame tour, when my support act Robin Ince strolled on stage half way through a routine followed by a film crew.

I said "If this is This Is Your Life you can get lost. I'm busy."

"No, we're live with Richard and Judy at the WHSmith Book of the Year awards. You've won the children's category for Flanimals." (out now by the way!) He gave me an ear piece and asked me to say a few words to R and J.

I said "This is voted for by the public, isn't it?"

"Yes", came the answer back. "Well tell them to stop phoning in now otherwise it'll be a con."

"You ungrateful *******!" replied Richard, clearly joking, but of course the papers next day went with Gervais-Madley feud.

Pathetic.

Anyway, I won a Nibby! I've won just about every major TV award going ? a record seven Baftas (would've been eight but I lost out last year), two Emmys, (real Emmys, not international Emmys. They're for people who can't get a proper one), and two Golden Globes (should win another one for The Extras Christmas Special. Coming soon...)

The list goes on but who's counting? (it's 63) But, not one for my children's books. Until now. I'm very proud of my only award for literature. You see Flanimals was a labour of love. I used to draw these silly creatures for my nephew when he was little. He grew out of it when he was about 10. I'm 46, and I still find Munge Fuddling amusing. I hope you do too.

And remember I donate 40% of all my profits to the Inland Revenue, and they put that money into building hospitals and things for sick children. So buy Flanimals now. You'll be doing a wonderful thing. Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

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Born in Reading in the early sixties, Ricky Gervais made it to university in London where he breezed his way through to a degree in philosophy.

After a brief career in a pop band he dallied with the odd job here and there making ends meet before a longish stint running the entertainments at a students' union. Long years of discos, pub quizzes and guitar bands were punctuated with further brief dabblings in the music business until his portentous appointment with the then fledgling and unlicenced radio station Xfm.

It was here that Ricky took on a new assitant, Stephen Merchant, and his comedy career took off. The Office is the most successful BBC comedy export of all time and his stand-up tours are sell-outs. As well as winning numerous awards, Ricky has sold over 5 million DVDs worldwide and was the first British comedian to write and star in The Simpsons.

One last thing - many biographies make reference to Ricky having worked as a pizza deliveryman. Just to put record straight, Ricky has not ever delivered a pizza... eaten, yes. Lots. Too many probably. But delivered them? Never!