People News

Ricky Gervais' fame boosted relationship

Apr 21, 2010, 6:01 GMT

01/17/2010 - Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon - 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals - The Beverly Hilton Hotel - Beverly Hills, CA, USA © Bob Charlotte / PR Photos

Ricky Gervais says achieving worldwide fame has made his relationship stronger.

The funnyman became a huge star in 2001 at the age of 40 when he played the role of David Brent in UK TV show 'The Office' and believes that because success came later in life, he and long-term partner Jane Fallon were able to cope with the extra pressure.

He said: "It only affects you if you're an idiot. We'd already been together for so long. So it never threatened us. It was all good, and it's got better. I had a wider head on my shoulders. When 'The Office' went out, I said to Jane, 'Why didn't I do this earlier?' She said, 'Because you wouldn't have been any good.' And she was right."

Although Ricky is now a huge star in America and spends a lot of his time there, he says his first love will always be his native England.

Talking about new movie 'Cemetery Junction' - about a group of teenagers growing up in England in the 70s - he told Radio Times magazine: "It's my love letter to England and an acknowledgement to all my family and everyone I knew growing up. I love England. I don't know anyone more patriotic than me."