Ricky Gervais's David Brent character has suggested plans for a "world tour" following an alleged bidding war over Brent's debut album.
In May, Gervais debuted a new YouTube video series, Learn Guitar With David Brent. Straight from Slough, the former Wernham Hogg boss offers heartfelt renditions of original tunes such as Spaceman Come Down and Ain't No Trouble (ft Dom Johnson). "Dreams are realer than reality, in a way, because reality changes," he explains. Or, as he put it in series two of The Office, "I've sort of fused Flashdance and MC Hammer shit."
That figurative Flashdance/Can't Touch This mashup could soon be coming to your local bandstand. On Twitter, Gervais revealed that he has received "ridiculous offers from major record deals all over the world for a David Brent album". Gervais has certainly come a long way from the days of Seona Dancing, his unsuccessful 1980s pop act. "Where were these [labels] when I was trying to be a real popster? And starving?" Gervais quipped. According to the Mirror, Sony and Universal have both offered "six-figure" recording contracts.
Whether or not Gervais decides to move forward with David Brent: The Album, he is seriously considering a concert tour. "What's the best little theatre in your town for David Brent to do an unplugged set of his songs followed by a Q&A?" he asked his Twitter followers. Ten minutes later, he declared that helpful fans had "just sorted out David Brent's first world tour". Although Gervais' standup act can sell out arenas, Brent is apparently "a man of the people" who wants to make sure he visits some "intimate" halls.
As Music Week reported, Gervais described his new video series as a response to "today's X Factor culture". "[David Brent] is spending all his hard-earned repping money on still trying to become a pop star." The beloved/reviled character may even hold his own broadcast singing competition: during his newest video, Brent asks fans to get in touch if they would like to form a backing band.
The Office debuted on BBC2 in July 2001, running for two series. It later inspired a hit adaptation in the United States.
