(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Ricky Gervais is happy for people to hate him, because it inspires his comedy routines.

The British funnyman is renowned for making outrageous comments, which some people find offensive. Ricky accepts that not everyone will enjoy his brand of humour, but he enjoys listening to his detractors because it gives him new material when he is writing television scripts and stand-up comedy routines.

The star always knew that being famous wouldnt make him popular with everyone and he insists people have the right to dislike him.

I feared being famous I knew that if I was a successful comedian and a successful actor I would be famous and it worried me, he said in an interview on British television show Lorraine. The more successful you get, the more famous you get, the more fans you get, but the more people hate you as well. I wouldnt have it any other way, I love the fact that there are people out there who want to smash the television in.

I love that they are losing sleep over it because Im not, that is where my comedy comes from winding people up.

Ricky is known for his impressive work ethic and is constantly involved in new movies, television shows and comedy tours. The 49-year-old star believes finding fame late in life has made him more determined to continue to succeed because the success was so unexpected.

I feel guilty even calling it work. I started late in life, I was the laziest person in the world, the least ambitious and that all changed when I was 40, he added. I had never tried my hardest at anything until I did The Office and it was a revelation at that age. It just goes to show its never too late. (C) Cover Media