To air in 2013

Channel 4 has commissioned a full series of Ricky Gevais's contentious care-home comedy Derek.

The pilot episode, which aide in April, Derek achieved a total audience of 3.2million – when on-demand and all broadcast views are consolidated – making it Channel 4's highest rating scripted comedy in nearly two years.

Shane Allen, Channel 4's head of comedy, said: 'Ricky is a leading voice in British comedy and through Derek he captures and reflects something of the spirit of modern society.

'A kind-hearted character in a world which TV normally shies away from, it feels like a perfect new direction for Ricky. The pilot triggered an amazing response and Derek's story had only just begun so it's brilliant that we can explore this world and its beautifully drawn characters across a series.'

Gervais added: 'David Brent was an egotistical, failed musician and the most annoying man in the world. Derek is a 50 year old man with bad hair and clothes, whose best friend is a whinging bald manc twonk. Where do I get my ideas from?'

The full series of Derek, expected to comprise six episodes, will air in early 2013.

Karl Pilkington will return as Derek's friend Dougie – his first acting role – while Kerry Godliman will be back as care worker Hannah.

Derek was accused of making fun of the mentally handicapped, with Christopher Steven, the he father of an autistic son, blasting it as 'vile, cynical and dishonest' adding: 'It goes deeper than sneering, and it’s more dangerous than plain bullying.'

But Gervais, who landed in hot water over his repeated use of the word 'mong' on Twitter, insisted: 'Derek is a fictional character and is defined by his creator, me.

'If I say I don't mean him to be disabled then that's it. A fictional doctor can't come along and prove me wrong.

'He's not the smartest tool in the box but he's cleverer than Father Dougal and not as different as Mr Bean.'

Published: 9 May 2012