RICKY GERVAIS - GERVAIS PROUDER OF SIMPSONS WORK THAN OFFICE SUCCESS

British funnyman RICKY GERVAIS is prouder of writing an episode of animated comedy THE SIMPSONS than winning a string of awards for his hit sitcom THE OFFICE.

The 44-year-old was amazed when the cartoon's creator MATT GROENING asked him to write a one-off script for the show, because it's been his lifelong ambition to contribute to the programme.

And he insists the six BAFTAs and two Golden Globes he won for The Office are nothing compared to his work on The Simpsons episode, which features a character similar to his DAVID BRENT character, who tries to seduce animated mother MARGE SIMPSON.

He says, "My ambition was always to get a joke on The Simpsons, and here I am at the read-through sitting next to Homer.

"I've won awards for the office, written extras and written an episode of The Simpsons. But if there is one thing on your CV, make sure it's The Simpsons. That's what I'm really proud of."