As work starts on Idiot Abroad 3

Ricky Gervais has announced plans for an arena stand-up tour – as he starts work on a third series of An Idiot Abroad.

He wrote on his blog today that he had 'started pre-production on An Idiot Abroad 3: The Short Way Round, this week'.

'We've basically only sorted the budget and a rough route at the moment,' he added. 'But it feels great to actually be working on it, and it means that Karl is in too deep to pull out now. Ha ha.'

Gervais has previously said how the travelogue would feature the reluctant Karl Pilkington on a cycling trip with Life's Too Short star Warwick Davis in the basket.

An Idiot Abroad 3 will comprise two specials for Sky 1. He has previously said 'Two series and a special - that's my motto'.

Gervais added that he would be squeezing live shows in between his various TV shows.

'I'm planning a European arena tour,' he wrote. 'It will be quite intense playing as many big venues as possible in a short amount of time between filming various projects I have in the UK and America.'

Gervais has previously toured mainly large theatres with the occasional arena date – and castle - thrown in.

Published: 2 Mar 2012