“A fun-packed week filming on ‘Derek’ was only marred slightly by the fact that an emergency doctor was called after 24 hours of severe abdominal pain,” Gervais wrote on his official blog.
“Examination, urine sample, and blood tests were taken and I was rushed to hospital for a scan. (I say rushed, they couldn't do the scan for 6 hours, in which time I was allowed only water.)
“I also couldn't stop filming, so in some scenes, Derek will look a little paler and sweatier than usual.”
The star was eventually diagnosed as having a form of gastric flu.
Gervais’ new sitcom ‘Derek’ revolves around a character - unsurprisingly called Derek Noakes - who works in a retirement home and who appears to be a sweet man with below average intelligence. The sitcom also features ‘An Idiot Abroad’ star and podcast co-host Karl Pilkington in his first acting role.
Ricky recently blogged about the show and his passion for the character of Derek, saying that he was “real” and “a good friend,” adding “that’s why I’m going to get him a TV series.”
The show was picked up for a full season after the pilot aired in the UK in April.
Written by Miranda Boyce
Copyright : Comedy Central New Zealand