I don’t know, I’m not really trying to make it by popping up in loads of films. I go the other route really, if I’ve made it in Hollywood it’s through the things I’ve created like The Office and Extras and This Side of the Truth. But these are fun, it’s fun to pop up in Night at the Museum but I don’t think it’s part of what I do.

It’s a sideline, which is a terrible thing to say to people who are trying to just be an actor, but I’m much more interested in the writing and directing really.

How tough is it to keep the character just likeable enough for the audience to care about him?

I think that’s really important, it was important with David Brent and with Andy Millman. I think what people saw in Pincus is that he’s only hurting himself really, he’s missing out and so I think they want you to redeem him.

I think as an audience member you want him to see the error of his ways, and you feel that you’ve won, you feel that good has prevailed. And, without giving too much away, that certainly happens.

But I must stress, this is not a formulaic, schmaltzy Hollywood film, this has got a lot more in common with those early films of Woody Allen and things like It’s A Wonderful Life and Groundhog Day.

I mean look at me, I’m no Brad Pitt am I? Well, disagree.

Brad Pitt is no Ricky Gervais...

That’s the clip, that’s the clip.

Ghost Town is released on DVD on March 2nd

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