Ricky Gervais calls for nurses, carers and charity workers to receive knighthoods

Back in October, his partner Jane Fallon revealed that they lived together above a brothel before he found fame and subsequent financial success.

And Ricky Gervais, 59, and Jane were spotted enjoying a stroll through their upscale north London neighbourhood on Tuesday as they braved the cold weather together.

Wrapping up in thick winter coats, the couple stepped out as comedian Ricky called for nurses, carers and charity workers to be given knighthoods over celebrities.

Dressed in a black ensemble that included gloves and a quilted coat, the After Life star walked closely beside Jane, who looked elegant in a smart coat with a pink scarf.

A day earlier, the star took to his Twitter account to declare that those on the frontlines of the nation’s healthcare and charities should be getting knighthoods.

The conversation came about after a fan account tweeted that Ricky had been nominated for 25 Emmys for writing, producing, directing and acting.

Responding to the tweet, which also shared that he held the record for any UK performer, Ricky joked: ‘Still no f***ing knighthood.’

On realising that his statement was taken seriously, the star followed up: ‘It seems some people think I really want a knighthood. I’m joking.

‘Those sort of honours should go to nurses, carers and charity workers. Not idiots like me who are already over rewarded. (Unless I can wear armour and carry a sword, in which case I’m interested.)’

It comes after Jane detailed the couple’s lives before Ricky became famous, and spoke about how she feels about going from having no money to being rich.

Speaking on ITV’s Loose Women back in October, she said: ‘It’s kind of weird. Apart from living in a beautiful house, I try to ignore it.

‘As long as it gives you pleasure and make use of it, that’s fine. But I think to some people it just becomes a prison.’ 

She went on: ‘We went through a few years when we had absolutely no money. We lived above a brothel. It was horrendous.

‘I had many many Saturday jobs. I worked in a book shop, but all sorts of different shops. I was a chambermaid in various hotels. I loved that job. It was quiet, you were on your own.’

The comedian achieved mainstream fame with his BBC television mock documentary series, The Office in 2001.

Jane also detailed what lockdown life has been like for her and Ricky, as she admitted to finding it difficult with the comedian being around so much.

‘He’s like a Fisher Price toy, making random noises all over the place,’ she claimed.

‘I need complete silence when I work. It’s hard when the two of us are at home. I have to take myself into another room.’

The couple have been together since 1982 but previously told The Times they decided not to marry because ‘there’s no point in us having an actual ceremony before the eyes of God because there is no God’.

Earlier this year, Ricky revealed the third series of After Life will be the last of the hit Netflix sitcom.

Two series of the dark comedy have been released so far, both to widespread acclaim from critics and viewers. 

But earlier this year Ricky told The Mirror: ‘I’ve already made my mind up there won’t be a fourth series.

‘And you do put those things out there to make you remember as it’s tempting but… there’s an old saying that “to lead the orchestra, you’ve got to turn your back on the audience”.

‘That’s true. The audience think they want another one, but they’re not sure. So you’ve got to be careful.’