Ricky Gervais vs. his local paper

Ricky Gervais, star of The Office and Extras, has becoming involved with a row with his local newspaper, The Hampstead and Highgate Express, after it printed pictures of his house. Gervais claims that this is an invasion of his privacy, and it is believed he is now looking for financial compensation. However, as the paper did not print the number of his house, the paper claims they acted responsibly.

According to The Guardian, it is believed that Gervais has sent legal letters to the Ham and High (as it is also known) after it printed a story in April about complaints from his neighbours due to noise and mess made when builders were working on his house. The Ham and High is believed to be mystified at Gervais' anger, as it printed a story about his move to the area in January in positive terms. One source claimed, "That story had more detail about the locale of his home but he didn't complain. It is interesting that that story was positive while the one he objected to was probably less favourable to him."

In the story printed in April, it claimed that a number of people had criticised improvements made to his house, including a swimming pool, a sauna and a gymnasium under his home. One neighbour complained that the work could have flooded the street. In response, Gervais said in his recent stand-up tour that if his neighbours continue to complain, he will promise to rent his property to drug addicts.

The Ham and High claims that they are experienced in dealing with privacy, due to several famous people living in the area, including Russell Brand, Boy George and Elizabeth Taylor. According to insiders, Brand encouraged stories about his move as he, "wanted young women to turn up to his address."

Gervais is not the first celebrity to complain about the media invading his privacy. Last month, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling failed to avoid a photograph of one of her sons in the street from being distributed. Prince Charles won a legal battle in the High Court against the Mail on Sunday after it breached privacy and copyright by publishing an extract from one of his diaries.