Stephen Merchant has defended Ricky Gervais's Channel 4 comedy Derek, claiming that there are people in the industry who are determined to take down the comedian.
Merchant, who worked with Gervais on The Office and Extras, said that any "outrage" about the care home sitcom was an inevitable result of his friend's huge success.
"I feel like the knives are out for Ricky whatever he does," Merchant told Shortlist.
"It's happened to every successful performer in this country. Stephen Fry was targeted a while back - he was much loved in the days of Fry & Laurie, then he became 'Mr Know-It-All' and now he's a national treasure. It seems to be standard practice.
"People assume Ricky's agenda is how to shock people, but it's not. He explores areas that are uncomfortable, but never with the intention of just giggling in the corner like a schoolboy."
Merchant is currently promoting the British comedy film I Give It A Year. He is also working on HBO comedy Hello Ladies.
Inspired by his stand-up material, the show will feature Merchant playing a web designer in LA who spends a lot of his time "failing to seduce attractive women".
