Ricky Gervais wins the Sir Peter Ustinov Award

The ‘Office’ star - who recently presented the Golden Globe Awards - says he was “honoured” to receive the prize, which he will pick up at the event in Canada this June.

The British comedian said: “This is probably the greatest honour of my career. Only the Nobel Peace Prize can top this, but I will only accept that in person if the ceremony is held somewhere as beautiful as Banff. I think they Fedex, luckily.”

Peter Vamos, executive director of the festival, said: “We could think of no one funny man so deserving of this prestigious award this year, than Ricky Gervais.

“‘The Office’ is the most critically acclaimed sitcom of all time and Gervais’ worldwide influence in the comedy industry is unparalleled.”

The 48-year-old actor and writer - who has starred in movies including ‘Night at the Museum’ and ‘The Invention of Lying’ - will add the award to his huge prize cabinet, which includes two Primetime Emmys, seven British Academy of Film and Television Awards and three Golden Globes.

This year’s 31st Banff Television Festival will take place from June 13 to 16.