"These days they want to make a joke out of everything," he told the Ipswich Evening Star.

"If this comedian is saying things like this he is trampling on a lot of emotions. I feel he’s just being uncaring, quite honestly."

Gervais, who brings his show to Ipswich in March, stressed that the conversation he referred to in the show happened five years ago, and he was talking about people who will do anything to become famous.

"I do want people to know that that happened five years ago and is not related to anything now," he said.

Steve Wright, 48, of Ipswich, has been charged with the murders of Miss Nicol, Gemma Adams, 25, Paula Clennell, 24, Anneli Alderton, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

He is next due to appear before Ipswich Crown Court on May 1.

Ricky knocked off top US spot - Jan 16 2007
Ricky Gervais and Ben Stiller’s Night At The Museum has been knocked off the top of the US box office with dance competition film Stomp The Yard.

According to estimated sales during the weekend the comedy managed to hold on to second place after taking an estimated 17.1 million dollars compared to Stomp The Yard’s 22 million dollars. Night At The Museum has made an estimated 185.8 million dollars since its release.

Will Smith also has cause to celebrate, with his acclaimed rags-to-riches flick, The Pursuit Of Happyness, coming in third taking 9.1 million dollars this week.

The Beyonce and Jamie Foxx musical Dreamgirls came in fourth with 8.1 million dollars, Freedom Writers came fifth with 7.1 million, Sci-fi thriller Children Of Men came sixth with 6.4 million and Justin Timberlake’s new film Alpha Dog, which took 6.1 million dollars, in seventh place.

Disney’s Primeval in eigth place with 6 million, Arthur And The Invisibles in ninth with 4.3 million and The Good Shepherd, directed by Robert De Niro, earning 3.9 million.

There was also good news for Daniel Craig. Casino Royale, which is in 19th place in the US chart, added £1.8 million pounds in takings making its US gross 162.5 million dollars, beating Die Another Day as the highest grossing Bond film in the US, according to Empire.

Ricky’s ’proud’ of new film  - Dec 24 2006
Funnyman Ricky Gervais has been raving about his new film Night At The Museum, saying he’s "very proud" to have been involved.

The star plays museum director Dr McPhee in the adventure comedy, which is set in a museum where the exhibits come to life during the night.

He co-stars with a raft of big names, including Ben Stiller, Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney.

"It’s just a joy to be able to rave about it," he told the Daily Mirror. "There’s excitement and comedy, all heart but without the schmaltz. I’m very proud to have been part of it."

The 45-year-old is offered plenty of movie parts but says he’s careful about choosing the right projects.

"I’ve been offered film roles since the second episode of The Office and before now I’d always resisted it," he said.

"I still think of myself as a writer and director first, but I’m in a fortunate position to be able to cherry pick what I do."

Ricky bagged the role after palling up with Ben Stiller on the set of Extras, his follow-up to The Office.

"A little while after that he emailed me asking if I’d like to return the favour."