Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais: I'm slowly writing full series of Derek

Ricky Gervais announced to his Twitter followers that while Derek is currently a one-off production, a full series will likely be on the way eventually.

Once Ricky Gervais gets hold of a good idea he really doesn't like to let it go. Employing his trademark mock-documentary format yet again, Derek follows its socially awkward, visually unprepossessing middle-aged hero as he shambles around his workplace, a care home for the elderly.

Although the show is resolutely ambiguous around whether Derek has learning disabilities or not, Gervais' performance in the title role is both sensitive and sympathetic. Disability rights campaigners can rest easy, if this pilot episode is anything to go by.

If the show's framework is disappointingly unoriginal, the tone is a radical departure from anything Gervais has done before. The Office, Extras and Life's Too Short all had their moments of poignancy, but Derek cranks the pathos up to full throttle and the result is bitter-sweet and disarmingly affecting. Between Derek being ridiculed, confounded and bereaved there isn't a lot of room left for comedy, and viewers tuning in for a laugh riot will be disappointed.

But there is still a wealth of comic detail to enjoy, particularly around Derek's friendships and relationships. Karl Pilkington, formerly Gervais' stooge but here making his acting debut as co-star, delivers a particularly delicious deadpan turn as best mate Dougie.

Ricky Gervais: 'Derek is just a nerd'

Ricky Gervais has defended his new show, insisting it is not a jibe at people with learning disabilities.

Ricky Gervais, there's no justification for this lazy cruelty

Gervais satirising prejudice against disability? No, in Derek he's just a self-serving hypocrite, feeding bigots their lines.

TV preview: Derek

Having created all his previous TV work - from the brilliance of The Office to the awful disappointment of Life's Too Short - for BBC2, Ricky Gervais has now moved over to Channel 4 for Derek, a pilot for a possible series.

Ricky Gervais defends comedy show Derek

Ricky Gervais has defended his new Channel 4 programme, Derek, following suggestions he was mocking people with learning difficulties.

Ricky Gervais: 'Mock the disabled? Me?'

The creator of David Brent, and scourge of Oscars celebs, has a new show - about a carer who seems to have learning difficulties. This comes after he made headlines supposedly insulting those with Down's syndrome. The comedian explains it all to Gerard Gilbert.

After taking a step back from starring roles in recent years, Ricky Gervais returns to centre stage with his latest comedy persona, Derek. Unlike previous egotistical, fame hungry characters such as David Brent and Andy Millman, Derek Noakes is a sweet, compassionate man who works in a retirement home. He loves his job, cares deeply for the residents and enjoys the simple things in life such as Deal or No Deal and puddings. In short, Gervais' new creation represents a major change from what was becoming an all too familiar and tired act.

Although not laugh out loud funny, Derek has a certain charm and warmness not often seen in any of Gervais' past efforts and although this is a one off it shows more than enough potential to justify a full series. Also look out for regular Gervais collaborator Karl Pilkington in his debut acting role playing Derek's best mate.

Derek preview

Derek proves that Ricky Gervais can still produce raw emotion and make you care about a character in a way that I'm not sure many other comedic actors can.

Ricky Gervais: 'I make it for me, not the public'

Ricky Gervais courts more controversy with a new Channel 4 comedy that look sure to divide the critics...