Gervais says he doesn't mean to upset

Ricky Gervais says it concerns him if people are offended by his bigoted act.

The comic, now starring in BBC2's The Office, branded disabled people lazy and quipped about world starvation during his stint on The 11 O'Clock Show.

But he said it surprised him that people believed those were really his opinions.

"It's because I used my own name and don't dress up like Ali G or Mrs Merton," he told The Sun. "I'm sure that was a mistake.

"If I'd called myself Billy Bigot and worn a hat with 'Up The French' on it, people would have had no doubt.

"It worries me if I've offended individuals. But the most frightening thing is when people agree with my character and don't realise it's a joke."

Published: 26 Jul 2001