Ricky Gervais' fan trouble

Ricky Gervais hates meeting his fans.

The British comic is sick of being recognised in the street and has even started running to avoid being "bothered" by members of the public.

Gervais moaned to The Word magazine: "If I go out in public, I get recognised - so I don't do it very much.

"I go for jogs. If I'm moving I'm OK - if stand still I'm in trouble.

"If I'm having dinner in Hampstead Heath in London no-one bothers me. I might have trouble somewhere like a Nando's chicken restaurant in Coventry - but then I'm never going to go there am I?"

But the 'Extras' star admits he loves being recognised by fellow celebrities.

After attending the recent London premiere of fantasy film 'Stardust' - in which he plays crooked street trader Ferdy the Fence - Gervais said: "I met Take That and they knew so much about me. They even knew that my cat Colin had died recently.

"There's no better way to my heart than that. They're nice lads."

Earlier this month, Gervais revealed he would be taking the lead role in new Hollywood film 'This Side of the Truth', in which he will play the world's only liar.

The project, which Gervais will co-write and direct, is due to begin shooting in spring 2008.