Best known for his comedy acts, Ricky Gervais won himself a whole new legion of fans with hit Netflix series After Life.
The hugely successful and touching series revolves around local journalist and widower Tony (Gervais) who lost his wife Lisa (Kerry Godliman).
The show follows the widower's journey through grief as he first rages against the world, before gradually learning to let people into his life.
Ricky has previously revealed that he was inspired to write the show based on his own relationship with longtime partner Jane Fallon.
Speaking to Alex Jones on BBC1's The One Show, Gervais said: "The first thought I had was what if you lost everything. You could do what you want and it would have no consequences. I had to think, 'well what is losing everything?' and to me it's your soulmate, your life partner. So that's where it came from."
Ricky has been with his own soulmate Jane for nearly four decades, with the pair enjoying a strong yet unconventional relationship - but they've decided to never get married.
How did Ricky Gervais meet Jane Fallon?
Ricky first met his author girlfriend Jane Fallon 39 years ago when they attended the University College London together.
Soon after, Jane landed a job as a producer on BBC's EastEnders from 1985 to 1994, while Ricky's start in television came later after a brief stint at managing the pop band Suede.
In the early days of their relationship, they lived in a flat in Kings Cross when the area was notorious for its street crime, prostitutes, pimps and drug dealers.
Are Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon married?
The couple's romance has been nearly four decades long, however both have always said that they will never get married, with staunch atheist Ricky saying he doesn't need to tie the knot because of his beliefs.
Ricky revealed to The Times: "We are married for all intents and purposes, everything's shared and actually our fake marriage has lasted longer than a real one. But there's no point in us having an actual ceremony before the eyes of God because there is no God."
Similarly, the duo - both 60 - have ruled out children in their lives. The comedian told Daily Telegraph: "One good reason I don’t want [kids] is that I don't think I'd sleep at night."
He further explained: "I had to check twice that I hadn't left the doors to the pool open because I was worried the cat would go through them and drown. So with a child, I'd just be stood over it, making sure it was still breathing."
However, the pair are firm soulmates, with Ricky admitting in 2019 that he can't live without Jane and would be "devastated" if they weren't together.
Speaking on the LIVE With Kelly And Ryan show, he said: "I would fall apart without her. I mean, emotionally first."
Later, he also confessed that he'd want to die before his partner, saying: "I want to go first, which is selfish but I do."
*National Comedy Awards for Stand Up to Cancer airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4 and All4