“DEREK is fun,” states Ricky Gervais. “He’s not just sweet and selfless and funny, but also really wise. He’s got it spot on with his strategy. He knows that if you always do the right thing, the kindest thing, you can’t go far wrong.”
Gervais’s controversial care worker comedy returns with the same set of characters from society’s margins. And the comic, oft accused of mocking someone with learning difficulties, is more convinced than ever the series is justified.
“Even if Derek did have learning difficulties,” he says, “I don’t see why it would matter, because he’s such a great role model.
“It’s not taking the mickey out of him, it’s taking the mickey out of the attitudes of the rest of us.
“I’ve never considered him disabled. He is an ‘out of the mouth of babes’ innocent person who always says the right thing you didn’t see coming. And if I say he’s not disabled, that’s the end of it.
“He is a fictional character created by me, so you can’t argue with that. You can’t suddenly decide that Superman is dyslexic – he’s not. Whatever Derek’s got, I want some – because he’s brilliant!”