Ricky Gervais debuts new material at 500-seat venue

Ricky Gervais debuted his new material at the Regent Centre in Christchurch

Ricky Gervais has performed two intimate gigs at a 500-seat theatre to debut new material.

The performances at the Regent Centre in Christchurch, Dorset, on Monday and Tuesday sold out online within minutes of tickets going on sale last week.

This left some fans who had queued outside the venue since the early hours disappointed, with demand for the tickets described as "unprecedented".

Fan Caitlin Holman, who was among those who managed to secure a place in the audience, said it was "like having a Willy Wonka golden ticket".

People queued outside the 500-seat charity-run theatre on Friday morning in the hope of getting tickets

Mrs Holman said the show was "amazing and controversial", praising The Office and Extras star for supporting a local theatre.

Gervais, 62, is best known for creating the character of David Brent but went on to Hollywood fame.

He first began doing stand-up in the 1980s after ditching his brief career as a pop star with new wave duo Seona Dancing.

His next gig is at London's Leicester Square Theatre on Tuesday.