SO you know him personally then?

How can anyone claim to "know what he is like in real life". That is so judgemental. Derek was genius. For those of you who found the slapstick unecessary, it wasn't the sitting in the custard that was funny, it was the comment "does it show?". Gervais haters who "know what he is like in real life" would have been determined not to find this funny, touching, enjoyable etc. I loved it. Gervais wasn't mocking anyone other than the awful care home system we have in this country. Well done Ricky Gervais, once again your observational writing has done you proud.