You’re playing the lead role in your new film, Ghost Town. Did you ever expect to be the main man in a Hollywood movie?
Actually, I was offered the lead in a film after the second episode of The Office! But I’d seen other British actors off the telly say they were doing a film and that was the last you ever heard from them. I wanted to wait for the right film.

So what other roles have you turned down?
I was asked to be the butler in a remake of Magnum PI, opposite George Clooney. I was also offered something in the new Star Trek, but I didn’t have the time. Although definitely the funniest was being approached for a part playing Will Smith’s brother!

As the lead, are you under more pressure? Will you be worrying about box office takings?
Nothing I do will ever live or die by those ridiculous rules. People just don’t judge me like that. If I was a music act, I’d be like Radiohead – not a boyband!

Will you now be swapping London for a Hollywood mansion?
No, I don’t want to hang around out there. I don’t call anyone unless it’s to ask them to be in my film. You can’t hire me as an actor. I’m not a contestant on The X Factor!

So you haven’t caught yourself acting like a diva yet?
I don’t rush through airports going, “Do you know who I am?” Actually, I remember the first time someone noticed me at check-in and took me to the front of the queue. I was absolutely horrified but now I have to admit, I quite like it!

What have been your career highlights so far?
There have been millions. The day after The Office first went out was good, but winning at the Golden Globes for the first time is still the best moment. We weren’t given a chance, then there we were – this bunch of English people no one had heard of up on stage!

Most celebs eventually suffer a bit of a backlash. Are you expecting one?
I started off with a backlash! It was after The 11 O’Clock Show and then Meet Ricky Gervais. I think I was hated by most comedians and journalists before I won them over with The Office…

Did you ever think The Office would do as well as it did?
I hoped it would get a good review and I had absolute belief in it, but I could never have predicted how big it would become. It’s still growing, too – they’re remaking it in Russia now! It’s on in 90 countries, which is ludicrous!

When was the last time you watched it?
I hadn’t for ages and then I saw it on American TV last year. I’d forgotten so much. I was sitting there laughing my head off as if I’d never seen it before. Gareth Keenan made me laugh more than anything; I was really proud of the lines we’d written for him. The scene where he was going on about how you couldn’t say certain things these days was brilliant.

But was the success of Extras ultimately more satisfying?
Yes – and I miss Extras more than The Office. The Office had to finish when it did, but I think Extras could still go on and on. We created better characters in Extras. Andy Millman was more real than David Brent by the end of the show and I loved Maggie Jacobs – she was the best character we’ve ever come up with.

Would you think about bringing back Extras?
The truth is I have an idea for one more Extras, which would work best as another Christmas special. I think it would be funny to see Andy trying to make it in Hollywood. The problem is, I don’t think Stephen Merchant wants to do it. But I reckon he will if I insist!

So you have no worries that people could turn against you?
I think I’d have to murder someone to suffer a backlash that destroyed me. But even then, I might be forgiven. I could probably commit a murder and my DVDs would still sell. Two murders might be pushing it – the BBC may have something to say about that!

Is there anything that keeps you awake at night?
I’m a terrible hypochondriac. If I get a pain anywhere, I know I’m going to die. If I have a sore throat, it’s definitely cancer!

Ghost Town is in cinemas nationwide from 24 October

PUB FACT: Ricky has won seven BAFTAs, four British Comedy Awards, three Golden Globes and four Emmys