Ricky Gervais makes bizarre football confession that Newcastle United supporters will hate

In comments that are unlikely to appease Newcastle United supporters, the Office star opened up about his three-decade-long sabbatical from the sport. Gervais played football as a youngster but, somewhere down the line, his attention turned elsewhere.

The 63-year-old is now an international superstar, known for his comedy, acting and hit TV sitcoms - and also a football fan. However, his journey back into the beautiful game will not go down well with Newcastle supporters…

Gervais shared how watching Sunderland ‘Till I Die during the Covid-19 pandemic helped reignite his love. The popular docuseries detailed the Black Cats’ misfortunes as they plummeted to League One, much to the amusement of Tyneside…

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"I love it now," Gervais said about his passion for football. "I went off it for about 30 years. I wasn't against it. I played at school and played until I was about 30, but I think probably at the age of 30 to 60, I gave up. I didn't really have a team. I watched England whenever they were playing.

"I got back into it in covid in lockdown. What really got me back into it was the documentary Sunderland 'Till I Die. I loved that show. It was the fact it was like a religion to them, the whole community was involved. 

“I saw the struggle of the players and the finances and the manager. Then I watched the Man City one and Leeds one and Arteta one and I'm hooked. I watch every game on TV and I love it again."