Ricky Gervais

If MasterChef was about comedy instead of food, it's easy to imagine what John Torode and Gregg Wallace would make of this Ricky Gervais sitcom as it comes back for a second series.

"You've got tinkly piano music and genital warts," John would tell him. "Mate, those two things should never be on the same plate."

To which Gregg would add: "I'm getting the lovely light sweetness of Hannah and Derek, the sharpness of handyman Dougie played by Karl Pilkington, but then all I'm left with is this nasty, sour aftertaste in my mouth from Kev and that grubby pornographic gravy.

"There's a time and a place for sexual language like that and it just doesn't belong in a pudding."

I couldn't have put it better myself.

This week a new member of staff regales Derek with tales of strange creatures that are half-men, half-chimp, and Derek's father, Anthony (Tony Rohr) moves into the nursing home.

It's genuinely heart-warming to see him getting to know his son better.

Even if he is more interested in getting acquainted with all the female residents.

The pilot episode of Ricky Gervais's comedy set in a retirement home provoked a firestorm. The series that followed proved to be Marmite, so it's a surprise to find it back for a second outing. Critics protest that it mocks people with learning difficulties because Derek, the careworker of the title, shuffles around with his lower jaw stuck out and asks childlike questions. Naturally, Gervais - who also writes and directs - denied any such thing, arguing Derek can hold his own against Baldrick, Father Dougal and Mr Bean.

Like The Office, Derek is a mockumentary. The difference this time round is it's not obvious at whom we're supposed to be laughing. The result can be poignant, especially the scenes with Kerry Godliman, who is magnificently understated as put-upon manager Hannah - sometimes almost unbearably uncomfortable.

Tonight Derek's father moves in and is soon batting his eyelashes at the female residents, to his son's horror. Meanwhile, new member of staff Geoff bickers with the caretaker (Gervais's pal Karl Pilkington in ludicrous wig and gigantic NHS specs).

Ricky Gervais' Derek: has he toned it down for series 2

The controversial sitcom about a mentally disabled man in a care home is back for another series. But are there signs that the creator has taken on board the vociferous criticism?

Ricky Gervais: I'm considering a third series of Derek

The comic insisted that he will round off his Channel 4 comedy with either a full third run or a one-off special.

Q&A: Ricky Gervais

In 2010, Time Magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people. His latest film is Muppets Most Wanted, and Series 2 of Derek starts on Channel 4 on Wednesday.

Ricky Gervais: "People are waiting for me to fail."

As the second series of his divisive sitcom Derek hits screens, the comedian tells James Rampton why he'll never bow to the critics who habitually circle his work - and why he loves his 'sweet and funny' protagonist.

Ricky Gervais has said both the BBC and video-on-demand service Netflix are interested in the return of his most famous character, David Brent. The Office creator is still wrestling with whether he should play Glastonbury or not as he tours with the character's fictional band, Foregone Conclusion. "It could happen," Gervais told the new issue of Radio Times. "It would be amazing for Ricky Gervais, but I don't know if I can justify it. He can't play venues outside the story." Ah, the dilemma of staying true to the narrative. Gervais told the magazine he got "hooked again" on Brent when he brought him back for last year's Comic Relief. "I love David Brent but I can't just do it as a vanity project because the BBC and Netflix are up for it. I don't know whether to do an on-the-road special or make that the whole series." It is 11 years since Gervais signed off from The Office with a pair of Christmas specials on BBC One. "It's a bid odd - he sells out venues faster than the Rolling Stones at the moment," he added. "I love the instant tragedy of a 50-year-old wannabe pop star in a shiny suit."

Ricky Gervais on the return of Derek Noakes

Somewhere between David Brent and Derek Noakes - around Andy Milman time - Ricky Gervais started to make the jump from cynicism and irony to kindness and honesty. It's a jump that not all fans of The Office have found easy to make.

Derek: Ricky Gervais waves goodbye to irony

Ricky Gervais is feeling pretty happy with his lot. As his surprisingly heart-warming mockumentary Derek returns to Channel 4 for a second series, Gervais explains his upbeat mood.

Ricky Gervais interview

He spoke so passionately about Derek, a project you can sense he's really proud of.