Gervais named 'king of comedy'

Ricky Gervais has been named the most powerful person in television comedy in the UK.

Gervais, who plays The Office's David Brent, is credited in the BBC's Radio Times list for his "legendary" and "peerless" work.

Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan is at number two, while Irish comedian Graham Norton is third.

The Radio Times said: "Ricky Gervais owned TV comedy in 2002."

The Office won two top prizes at the Bafta TV Awards in April, and Gervais was named best comedy actor at the British Comedy Awards in December.

Following Graham Norton are BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey and her BBC2 counterpart Jane Root in joint fourth place.