Ricky Gervais brutally shuts down return to BBC as he issues savage rejection statement: 'It won't happen'

Following the announcement by the show's makers Studio Lambert at the Edinburgh TV Festival this month, rumours of who could star soon emerged - and sources allegedly claimed Gervais was high on the wish list.

A source told The Sun: "The BBC want the crème de la crème of stars for the celeb spin-off, and they ideally have to be incredibly smart, funny, and mischievous — and that’s Ricky in three words.

"Behind the scenes, big names have already expressed their interest in taking part from the moment it was revealed the new version of The Traitors was being made."

But after spotting the speculation online, Gervais - who shot to stardom on the BBC's The Office - took to X, formerly Twitter, to dampen any hopes he may appear, doing so in his typical comedic fashion.

Reposting an article by US publication Deadline which quoted the source's quotes, Gervais penned on X: "I love the show and I’m very flattered, but it won’t happen."

Explaining why, the comedian savagely penned: "I’m too busy and there’s no way they could afford me," followed by a sunglasses-wearing emoji.

Gervais wasn't done there either, as he shared a laughing emoji in response to one fan who remarked: "The BBC! They couldn’t afford the lawyers, never mind your fee!"

However, others were quick to react differently, with several urging Gervais to "reconsider".

I love the show and I’m very flattered, but it won’t happen. I’m too busy and there’s no way they could afford me 😎

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 26, 2024

One replied to the statement: "Please reconsider! You would be amazing to watch on that show. I know non of the cast would know what to do with you."

While a second poked fun at the news of the Oasis reunion tour as they penned: "If Liam and Noel can get back together surely you can do this!!" (sic)

At the time of writing, the BBC show is yet to announce which famous faces will be taking part in the celebrity version of The Traitors.

The celebrity version will consist of nine episodes, with Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC's head of entertainment, saying of the news: "The Traitors has well and truly established itself as an unmissable highlight of the year and the news of a fourth outing, alongside a brand new celebrity version coming to the BBC, will take the series to a whole new level.

"It will once again be fascinating for our audiences to see who’ll outwit, outplay, and outlast. Let the mind games begin!"

Meanwhile, Gervais will undoubtedly be keeping himself busy with his new beverage brand - although advertising for it hasn't been plain sailing.

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Gervais has spent the last few months promoting his vodka brand, Dutch Barn, on social media but admitted he's "destroying" the company due to the expletive-ridden ads he makes.

He even claimed the company had made enough money for a billboard on the London Underground but was refused it by TfL.

Alongside a snap of the billboard in question with the tagline "one day you'll be underground for good", Gervais said: "Dutch Barn sold so well that we were able to afford a London Underground Billboard. However, it was not accepted for the following reason- 'We think there is a risk that this may be construed as implying that because life is short, one might as well drink, potentially to excess.'"

However, he's since clarified that a different advert has been given the go-ahead to be published, this time with the tagline: "Buying Dutch Barn will make a person rich and happy. And that person is Ricky Gervais."