Ananova:

Ricky Gervais has branded some Pop Idol contestants as "bordering on the mentally ill" for wanting to take part in the show.

The comedy actor says he despairs of reality TV.

"The problem with Pop Idol is that it's funny to see these people thinking they have what it takes, but then it hits you that these people are very probably bordering on the mentally ill," he told Jack magazine.

"It's like when you see some D-list celebrity on some show doing some embarrassing thing just to be on TV. Sometimes I have to get up and leave the room. It can never be that bad that people should want to be on TV for no real reason, surely?"

The last episodes of The Office go out this Christmas and Gervais said he is looking forward to disappearing from television screens for a while.

"I don't care if I'm not on TV. In fact it's brilliant. I can go shopping for socks again, even though I keep getting recognised. I just want it to be right. There is no rush to be back on TV," he said.