8 February 2006

A podcast from Ricky Gervais has won the Guinness World Record for getting the most downloads.

The online downloadable version of "The Ricky Gervais Show" gained an average of 261,670 downloads per episode during the first month of its launch.

Available via the Guardian website, the podcast features fresh new material rather than just highlights from old shows and has developed a significant fan base.

The show revolves around amusing discussions between the mastermind of hit TV shows The Office and Extras, Ricky Gervais, and his friends Karl Pilkington and Stephen Merchant.

Ricky and his team were given the award at the Guardian offices this week, and this record will now be in the running for a place in the 2007 edition of the Guinness World Records.

"People say that there's nothing new under the sun, that there's nothing left to discover and no records left to be set," commented Craig Glenday, editor of the Guinness World Records.

"But this new podcasting achievement shows that there's always scope for record breaking, and we're pleased to welcome Ricky and his team to the Guinness World Records hall of fame."

© Adfero Ltd

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