Gervais equipped with ideal face for comedy

RICKY GERVAIS has the ideal face for comedy, according to new research into what makes us laugh.

Scientists have found that people with certain facial features are more likely to raise a giggle.

Top of the list comes a round face, small forehead and a wide nose. High cheekbones are also desirable.

The features of the nation’s top comedians were blended by computer to come up with the perfect face for comedy.

And the authors of the study said that Extras star Gervais best fits the bill.

Facial perception expert Anthony Little from the University of Stirling carried out the research.

He said: “The face is a strong indication of character and today’s study appears to explain why comedians of a certain appearance would have been drawn to their career.”

Comedians tend to have softer, more feminine features, according to the academic.

Dr Little commented: “The characteristics of a feminine face imply that the person may be agreeable and co-operative, which can be causal in our first impressions of comedians as being friendly and funny.

“In the same way that infants are pre-programmed to respond to the warmth and approachability of a mother’s face, soft, feminine features put us at ease and encourage us to relax.

“This is conducive to laughter and enjoyment.”

The expert said the exception to the rule was Ali G and Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen, who has a more masculine, serious appearance.

“Cohen’s atypical comedy face may be the reason why his routine depends on disguise and alter-egos,” he explained. “Borat’s costume, exaggerated accent and feigned slow-wittedness help create a false sense of superiority in his interviewees.

“The humour lies not in making the respondent laugh, but in convincing them that Borat is serious, if harmless and ill-informed.”

The study was commissioned by comedy club Jongleurs. Founder Maria Kempinska said: “We’re always looking to find out what makes our customers laugh so these insights are fantastic. I’m sure Ricky will be pleased to know he can add the honour of having Britain’s funniest face to his collection of credits.”

Britain’s top 20 comedians as voted for by Jongleurs customers were: Peter Kay, Billy Connolly, Lee Evans, Ricky Gervais, Eddie Izzard, Jack Dee, Roy Chubby Brown, Graham Norton, Jo Brand, Jimmy Carr, Tommy Cooper, Bill Bailey, Dawn French, Frank Skinner, Steve Coogan, Al Murray, Lee Hurst, Harry Hill, Jasper Carrott and Bill Hicks.