Gervais causes ticket price row

Ricky Gervais is at the centre of a row at the Edinburgh Festival over ticket prices.

The Extras funnyman who is performing a one-off gig at Edinburgh Castle for 8,000 fans has been criticised for selling tickets at £37.50.

Phil Nichol, one of last year's top-rated Fringe comics, is only charging £12.50 for entrance to his show, The Naked Racist.

Colin Fox, chairman of the alternative Edinburgh People's Festival said: "When tickets for a stand-up comedian cost £37.50 it illustrates how far today's festival has gone in forgetting its roots."

A spokesperson for Gervais, commented: "It is a big venue and it is sold out. Eight thousand people haven't been put off by the ticket price - what more is there to say?"