Gervais: 'I wish I could turn off fame'

Ricky Gervais has confessed to a dislike of fame.

Speaking to The Telegraph, the comedian explained why he wanted to "turn off" his celebrity status.

"The worst thing about this job for me is the fame," he said. "I've never understood why anyone wants people to know who they are. That's the thing I wish I could turn off."

The Office and Extras creator can next be seen in his first film leading role in David Koepp's Ghost Town, released in cinemas on October 24.

"When they asked me to do it, I said they had to make the character English because I don't do accents," said Gervais of his upcoming screen role. "I haven't got time; and I don't wear wigs either. No wigs, no prosthetics and no nudity: no-one wants to see me without my clothes on."