Ricky Gervais has expressed indifference towards receiving a knighthood, describing the honor as "irrelevant." The comedian, known for his outspoken views, shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, suggesting that if he were to be offered the title, he might accept it primarily "to annoy people."
Gervais indicated that the prestige of a knighthood holds little significance for him in modern times. "If a knighthood meant like it did in the olden days, I could ride around on a big horse with a sword, I'd take it," he quipped. He added that the honor doesn't hold meaning if it doesn't offer such tangible, historical implications, though he conceded that accepting it to provoke a negative reaction from certain individuals could be a motivating factor.
This stance on formal honors comes shortly after Gervais revealed his intention to marry his long-term partner, Jane Fallon. The decision to wed, after decades of remaining unmarried, is reportedly driven by financial considerations, specifically to avoid inheritance tax. Gervais, who has previously dismissed marriage as pointless, stated in an interview with Saga Magazine that tax implications are now the primary reason for considering the union.
"It is [the reason]. And that will be the reason I marry. We haven’t done it yet. But if it wasn’t for [tax]… why?" he explained. Gervais noted the pragmatic aspect, highlighting that unmarried couples do not automatically benefit from the spouse exemption, which allows an estate to be passed to a surviving partner free of inheritance tax. For Gervais, whose estate is estimated to be worth millions and includes significant property holdings, this exemption carries substantial financial weight.
Fallon, a best-selling novelist, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, a detail Gervais mentioned when discussing the timing of their potential marriage. The couple, who met while studying at University College London in 1982, have been together for approximately 40 years. Fallon has previously spoken about her lack of traditional romantic aspirations, stating that she never fantasized about weddings or motherhood, but rather about her career and personal life.
Gervais has consistently maintained that their long-standing partnership felt akin to marriage, often remarking that their "fake marriage has lasted longer than a real one."
