COMEDIAN Ricky Gervais will play York Barbican on the second night of his first British stand-up tour in seven years, presenting his angriest ever show, Humanity, on February 28 next year.

Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday on 0844 854 2757, at yorkbarbican.co.uk and at livenation.co.uk

Gervais said: “Thousands of people paying hard-earned cash to come and see you live is such a privilege. You'd better have something different, interesting and funny to say. Humanity is my angriest, most honest and I think my best tour yet.

"It’s probably my most personal too. I feel I may as well tell you everything before I die. Hope you enjoy it. Or not. There are no refunds. Just like life, I guess."

This year has been a busy one for the Berkshire-born comedian, actor, director, producer, writer and former pop singer and manager, led by the cinema and DVD release of David Brent: Life On The Road and its accompanying album David Brent & Foregone Conclusion – Life On The Road.

Further highlights were the launch of Special Correspondents on Netflix, the publication of the David Brent Songbook and his hosting of the Golden Globes awards in the United States for a fourth time.

Next year he will set out on the year-long world tour of Humanity with the first handful of British dates between February 21 and March 29. York is the only Yorkshire venue confirmed so far.

Gervais is the creator and star of The Office, Extras and Derek and has won three Golden Globes, two Primetime Emmy Awards and seven BAFTAs. The Office is the most successful British comedy of all time, having been shown in more than 90 countries with seven remakes, most notably an American version.

He has mounted four international stand-up comedy tours to date, among them his 2007 show, Fame, the fastest-selling British stand-up show of all time with 100,000 tickets for his London shows being snapped up in only nine minutes.

Gervais last played a York gig in April 2004, when performing his Politics show at the Grand Opera House.