RICKY GERVAIS has had two cancer scares in seven years - prompting him to have regular health checks.

The Office star was forced to analyse his health after his mother died of lung cancer in 2000 - and Gervais admits he is now a hypochondriac.

He says, "After my mum dies I twice thought I'd found a lump. Luckily it was nothing, but it scares you. It's better to be safe than sorry.

"It's a real working class male preserve not to go to the doctor. But if I get the slightest illness I think I'm going to die."
Tiscali