Ricky Gervais admits he's worth £50million... but says most goes to the tax man

By Daily Mail
Updated: 06:45 EDT, 24 February 2011

It's a sum that struggling boss David Brent could only dream of.

But his creator, Ricky Gervais, has been forced to reveal he was worth a staggering £50million after details of his earnings were published on the internet.

The Office star's estimated fortune was posted on US website Celebrity Net Worth earlier this month.

Money-man: Ricky Gervais has admitted that he is worth an estimated £50,000,000 after his believed earnings were published online

The comedian confirmed the amount several days later on his own blog and quipped: 'Wow! I think there must be a leak at my accountants. They are of course spot on.'

The report listed Gervais, 49, as among the world's richest comedians alongside the likes of Dan Ackroyd worth a rumoured £83,000,000 and Graham Norton who is estimated to be worth £30million.

Jokes: Gervais confirmed the figure on his blog, saying a lot goes on tax

By contrast, the website estimated other comedian's wealth to be far less. Russell Brand, also a US star, was estimated to be worth a paltry £3,000,000 and Steve Coogan was said to be worth £7,000,000.

'I know it sounds a lot, but remember, I donate a lot of this to good causes. (The Inland Revenue mainly.),' Gervais joked on his blog.

'Now this is out, I will have to get my family a million scratch cards each for Christmas.

'I have decided to use the rest of the money to take over Libya. (I know I said I was going to start with Egypt but Karl said it was awful.) '

Gervais has amassed the vast wealth after being propelled to success after The Office became a international hit.

In Britain the series only ran for two seasons but it became the BBC's most successful export when it was sold to broadcasters in more than 80 countries.

In the U.S. Gervais has become a household name after a successful American version of the show was broadcast by NBC.

Gervais, who lives in Hampstead, London with partner Jane Fallon, followed The Office with cult hit 'Extras' which featured guest appearances from a string of celebrities.

He has also starred in a number of stand-up shows which have been released on DVD alongside The Office and Extras. Gervais also published a collection if his drawings in the book, Flanimals.

Boss: Ricky Gervais as David Brent in the office. The show ran for two seasons but became an international hit earning the comedian millions

Success: Gervais the U.S version of the show. He has become a household name in the states thanks to the series

But the quirky comedian sparked controversy after hosting last month's Golden Globe's after a string of raunchy jokes that  tore into celebrity targets at the annual awards do.

He made cutting comments about his his A-list audience with Brad and Angelina, Charlie Sheen and Robert Downey Junior being the butt of his most lacerating jokes.

And he left the crowd reeling as he made fun of the Church of Scientology while referring to the films that had not made the cut this year.

But the controversy left the funny man unphased. And it's no surprise considering his vast wealth and Hollywood status continues to grow.