Gervais seeks Extra applause

The success of hit TV series The Office was always going to be hard for creator Ricky Gervais to match.

But it seems the comedian has done it again. His follow-up series, Extras, has bagged a record five nominations at this year's British Comedy Awards.

The BBC2 favourite was nominated for best comedy, new comedy, TV comedy actor, comedy actress and comedy newcomer.

Gervais is up against Little Britain duo David Walliams and Matt Lucas for best TV comedy actor for the second year in a row.

The rival series are also vying for best TV comedy, along with The Catherine Tate Show.

Last year, Little Britain and Lucas and Walliams scooped both awards.

Extras, boosted by a string of Hollywood actors such as Ben Stiller and Kate Winslet in cameo roles, earned co-star Ashley Jensen two nominations.

The Scottish actress was shortlisted for best TV comedy actress, with Catherine 'am I bovvered?' Tate and the Green Wing's Tamsin Greig.

Jensen is also up for best comedy newcomer. The awards, hosted by Jonathan Ross, will be screened live on ITV1 on December 14 at 9pm.