Ricky Gervais releases first image of David Brent in The Office spin-off Life on the Road

The mockumentary-style film will continue the story of the comedian’s character

Ricky Gervais on stage in character as aspiring rock star David Brent (PA)

Ricky Gervais has released the first image of himself as David Brent in The Office spin-off film Life on the Road.

The British comedian, who will be directing, writing and starring in the film, managed to secure funding for the film earlier this year, with a release hopefully coming in 2016.

Gervais posted the photo to his Twitter account alongside the caption “Great to be back in the office. A new dawn”, referencing the character Dawn who has since left the show.

Following in the footsteps of the TV series, the mockumentary-style film will continue the story of Gervais’s character Brent, a salesman/wannabe rockstar, as he attempts to break into the music business with his band Foregone Conclusion.

“I’m so excited that the world will see what David Brent is up to now and where his future lies,” Gervais had previously said of the film.

“This film delves much more into his private life than The Office ever did and we really get to peel back the layers of this extraordinary, ordinary man.”

Described by the BBC as “a philosopher to rival Descartes, a musician to rival Texas and a dancer to rival MC Hammer”, Brent became an iconic character after just two series of the hit show.

Shown in more than 100 countries and remade in eight, The Office is the most successful British comedy ever.

Rumours of a David Brent starring movie first surfaced two years ago, but Gervais only confirmed it was going ahead last year.

The 53-year-old previously said he had already written brand new songs for the film.

Gervais performed several UK gigs in character as part of his band Foregone Conclusion last year and launched a YouTube channel featuring ‘Learn Guitar’ videos.