Ricky Gervais and his crew have begun filming for the second series of his hit Channel 4 series Derek today. Pictures show the David Brent creator riding a small girls’ bike, while a body double presumably shoots some sort of ridiculous crash.

Ricky GervaisRicky Gervais rides about, filming for Derek

A clean-shaven Gervais sports Derek’s now-iconic brown cardigan as – away from the confines of the nursing home – he tears around London on a little girl’s bike.

Ricky Gervais brings back Brent.

What’s more, he appears to be chasing a funeral director’s van. What kind of plot is the care worker involved in? Perhaps the funniest pictures involve his body double – who, because he’s a body double – doesn’t look anything like Gervais.

Tweeting from on-set in London, actress Kerry Godliman said: “First scene on Derek S2 shot. We've only just started and I don't want it to end.” Gervais added on twitter: “Derek is probably my favourite thing of everything I've done, so I can't wait to start thinking up some new adventures for the gang.”

DerekThe show will return to screens next year

The first season was a controversial affair, with some media outlets arguing that Gervais was satirising the disabled, and, as a result, doing them a disservice. The show grabbed 2.05 million viewers, a 10.2% share of the audience between 10pm and 10.35pm, including Channel 4 +1.

Check out our pictures from the Derek set

Gervais argued that Derek wasn’t actually mentally disabled, and that his lovable, warm persona, and the fact that he, in actor/director’s words, is “’better than us’ “because he lacks ego and guile and merely wants to be nice” (Radio Times)

In short: not a slight on the disabled community at all. Phil Clarke, C4's Head of Comedy said: “I am delighted that Derek is coming back for a second run on Channel 4. It's an original comic vision, brave, funny and touching, with a star performance at its heart. It has already garnered a loyal following.” (Digital Spy)

Ricky Gervais as DerekDerek sports some shades in sunny London

Gervais will be taking a break from filming Derek next month to play yet another gig as David Brent – the seminal Office character he brought back to life for Red Nose Day. The show at the Colston Hall in Bristol sold out in five minutes.

Season 2 will air on Channel 4 and Netflix US next year, while season 1 is out on DVD and Blu Ray from November 11.