Gervais: I do shows for myself

Ricky Gervais has revealed who gets the greatest pleasure out of his shows - himself.

The creator of The Office, Extras and Derek admitted that making people laugh and making money are the least of his concerns when he creates new projects.

"I do this for myself. I do it for the sheer pleasure of it and I always have. I did it 'cause I loved it when I was poor and I do it because I love it now I'm rich," said the 51-year-old.

"I don't care if you watch, I don't care if you don't like it," he added.

Ricky said he's used to hearing the worst about his shows, including Derek - a comedy drama about a man working in a care home - and wasn't worried about whether people might like it.

"People often think my work is cynical. I am always aware that whenever I launch a new show I feel like I am landing at Normandy, I can hear the bullets, but you've still got to open the door," he said.

He claimed his programmes are less cynical than people think.

"The Office was always about hope. Same with Extras. It looked like a biting satire against fame but it was about a group of friends, really. I like happy endings," he continued.

As for Derek, it is the "kindest" programme he's ever done: "It is sincere, it is down the line."

:: Derek starts on Channel 4 on January 30.