Eva Gervais

Eva Gervais is the mother of Ricky Gervais and his siblings, Larry, Marsha and Bob and wife of Jerry Gervais. She met Ricky's father Jerry, a French-Canadian soldier, during a World War II blackout, they later married and settled in Whitley, Reading. Ricky was her youngest child, and he confirmed suspicions that his birth was unexpected in a 2005 interview with The Independent.<ref>"She went 'You was an accident'. I went 'Cheers!'" - Ricky in The Independent, 2005.</ref> Ricky's mother made several appearances, by telephone, on his original Xfm show, the one available recording of which features Ricky calling her to relay a happy birthday message, only for her to chastise him for the persistent swearing on his radio show. Eva unfortunately passed away before the completion of The Office,<ref>The Mirror Interview - Nov. 2004 - http://www.rickygervais.com/mirror.php</ref> and Ricky's subsequent rise to stardom, however she lives on, as Ricky mentions in anecdotes and interviews, in his sense of humour and work ethic, which were both heavily influenced by his family.

Classic Moments

Eva has been mentioned in several of Ricky's anecdote, often demonstrating her sharp wit and turn of phrase.

Go-Kart

On the 24 November 2001 show Ricky told the story of the time, at the age of around six, he returned home to find his beloved Go-Kart missing. On asking his mother where it was, she replied:

"Your dad swapped it."

Distraught, young Ricky enquired further, to which his mum added:

"He swapped it for a wheelbarrow."

Clearly annoyed at what Ricky's dad had done, she made sure to add:

"It's your wheelbarrow."

Despite her sympathy, whilst on holiday in Bognor shortly after, Ricky, encountering a fellow young boy who was riding a Go-Kart, claimed that he had a Go-Kart back home, as quick as a flash, Eva leaned out the window and said:

"Don't Lie."

Ricky was forced to retract his statement about owning a Go-Kart.

Shit The Bed

In the third episode of the first series of The Office, Joan, the cleaner, asks of Tim, who has arrived early on account of it being his birthday, "What are you doing up so early? Shit the bed?" This dialogue was inspired by Eva, who would often use the same phrase when in a similar situation. <ref>Ricky Gervais Profile - Tee Guardian - http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,,1135221,00.html </ref>

References

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