Ricky Gervais plans stand-up comedy world tour

By Fiona Pryor
Entertainment reporter, BBC News

Ricky Gervais has become a big hit in Hollywood

Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais has said he is hoping to take his fourth live tour around the world.

"The Office is shown in about 90 countries, so I've been promising myself I'll visit some of them," the 47-year-old told the BBC News website.

"I'm going to do the first world live comedy tour," he added.

So far Gervais, who played a small UK tour last year, has announced two new dates for London in April, followed by four US dates in May.

Tickets for the London dates go on sale on 22 January.

The star will also perform his Science tour at New York's Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre.

If I had to give up everything else, I would probably just keep being a creator and writer

Ricky Gervais

Gervais, who has made several Hollywood films since The Office became a surprise hit in the US, said his next project - Cemetery Junction - would be out in April.

An animated movie based on his cartoon book Flanimals is also in production.

When asked about his future plans, Gervais said: "I don't know. I just want to keep doing this for as long as someone allows me to.

"I think Bob Dylan said that a man can consider himself a success if he wakes up in the morning, goes to bed at night and, in between, did exactly what he wanted.

"That's what it feels like. I know how privileged I am, I know how lucky I am, that I get up in the morning with an idea and I get it on the radio, or the TV, or the internet or a film.

"And that's the fun. I love every part of the creative process. And it's about the ideas really, that's what excites me. If I had to give up everything else, I would probably just keep being a creator and writer."