Ricky Gervais seems ubiquitous at the moment, what with his recent film David Brent: Life on the Road, live performances in character as Brent, and a stand-up tour (as himself) scheduled for 2017.

So we thought we’d take a look back through Ricky’s television work, from The Office to Derek, and spot the TVO links… You’d be surprised how many of our regulars show up along the way!

The Office

Matt Holness

Before he was Garth Marenghi, Matt appeared as the IT guy in series 2 episode 4 of The Office. 

Olivia Colman

The star of Flowers played a journalist interviewing David Brent in series 2 episode 6 of The Office.

Dan Skinner

Six years before his first appearance on Shooting Stars as Angelos Epithemiou, Dan popped up in part 1 of The Office‘s Christmas special.

Fun fact: Julia Davis‘ voice can be heard on the phone when David Brent speaks to a dating agency in part 2 of the Christmas special.

Steve Brody

Pre-Angelo’s Steve played David Brent’s agent in both parts of the Christmas special.

The Office is available to buy here.

Extras

Katherine Parkinson

The star of The IT Crowd made one of her very first television appearances in series 1 episode 2 of Extras.

Tony Way

In the same episode that featured Katherine Parkinson, Tony played a disgruntled chef.

Barunka O’Shaughnessy

Yet another TVO regular in Extras series 1 episode 2! Barunka was one of Andy Millman’s fellow extras in this episode.

Katy Wix

In series 2 episode 2 of Extras, Katy played a woman who had the misfortune of being chatted up by Darren and Barry in a bar.

Rufus Jones

The Hunderby star appeared in series 2 episode 3 of Extras as a sleezy tabloid journalist.

Anna Crilly

Joining her double act partner Katy Wix in Extras series 2, Anna showed up in episode 5 as a woman who Andy tries (and obviously fails) to flirt with.

Ben Willbond

Andy is auditioned for a role by Yonderland star Ben Willbond in the Extras finale. 

Dan Tetsell

Dan also made an appearance in the Extras finale, playing an extra of whom Andy is very dismissive.

Steve Brody

Steve shows up in the Extras finale as an estate agent who tries to sell Maggie a tiny flat.

Extras is available to buy here.

Life’s Too Short

Matt Holness

Matt made one his rather rare post-Garth Marenghi television appearances in Life’s Too Short with a recurring role as the divorce lawyer of Warwick’s ex-wife.

Colin Hoult

The man behind Anna Mann had a recurring role in Life’s Too Short as a life coach.

Steve Brody

And it’s a hat-trick for Steve! After appearing in both The Office and Extras, he had a recurring role in Life’s Too Short as Warwick’s useless accountant.

Tony Way

In series 1 episode 6 of Life’s Too Short, Tony popped up as a washing machine deliveryman.

Steve Oram

In the final special episode of Life’s Too Short, Steve played an ITV2 commissioner who’s interested in putting Keith Chegwin back on television.

Life’s Too Short series 1 is available to buy here and the final special is over here.

Derek

Colin Hoult

Following his part in Life’s Too Short, Colin had a recurring role as the thoroughly unpleasant Geoff in series 2 of Derek.

Tony Way

Not content with just appearing in Extras and Life’s Too Short, Tony was also in series 2 episode 2 of Derek!