Gervais: 'Comedy is like morphine'

Ricky Gervais has revealed that he thinks comedy is like a "shot of morphine".

The Invention of Lying actor said that he doesn't think the world could exist without laughter, insisting that the funniest jokes are based on everyday life.

The 48-year-old told USA Today: "We all need humour; it's like a shot of morphine. But I don't do things to get attention or be controversial. I just look at the world a little differently."

He continued: "People say drama is real life with the boring parts taken out. I like to put them in. Real life can be pretty funny. I don't think of myself as a typical comedian. I'm just a normal bloke who says things he observes. I don't even really tell jokes with punch lines. But people seem to connect."

Talking about fame, Gervais added: "I'm a bit phobic about fame, to tell you the truth. I don't want people going through my trash bins. I'm not all that interested in being an actor. For me, a good night is watching TV with my girlfriend, cat and some good wine."