Gervais shocked by 'gruesome' boxing victory

Ricky Gervais says his "gruesome" boxing victory over Grant Bovey made him wince as he watched it for the first time on TV.

The charity duel, shown on BBC2, saw The Office star win the match on points following three hard-fought rounds with Anthea Turner's husband.

Gervais's victory landed him £5,000 (€7,690) to donate to his chosen charity, Macmillan Nurses.

He told the London Evening Standard: "I watched it at home last night with my girlfriend because I was interested in how it would look and there was nothing better on.

"I'm not sure it was as gruesome as I remember it at the time though.

"I would not recommend getting into the ring and punching someone-in the face. I always knew it was a very, very hard game that needs a lot more skill and dedication than I have got. Up close, you do see things you never imagined.

"It must be a lot different when you've got everything riding on it. I've got even more respect for boxers now. It did open my eyes - which, funnily enough, is actually the hardest thing to do in the ring. You just keep shutting them and putting your head down."

Gervais added that there was no animosity between him and Bovey.

"I spoke to him after the fight and he was fine," he said.

"He called me up last week. It's all rubbish to say there's any animosity between us. He's a great bloke."