Comedian Ricky Gervais pays £1,000 for cake that’s too cute to cut at Hampstead auction

Comedy star Ricky Gervais, a well-known animal lover, couldn’t bring himself to cut into a bear-shaped cake at a Hampstead auction in aid of a wildlife charity.

Ricky Gervais trimming the toenails of the bear cake. Picture: Nicky Vyvyan-Robinson - Credit: Archant

The comedian outbid everyone to pay £1,000 for the giant handmade chocolate cake, on condition that it be cut up immediately and served to guests at the fundraising event for charity Animals Asia at Burgh House in New End Square on Sunday.

The bear cake, named Andrew. Picture: Nicky Vyvyan-Robinson - Credit: Archant

But when asked to make the first cut, he couldn’t bear to slice into the cute cake which was modelled on one of the first bears the charity saved from a farm in China.

He trimmed the toenails of the cake bear, named Andrew, then passed the knife to someone else.

Ricky said: “This isn’t the first time I’ve spent a thousand pounds on cake when I was drunk. At least this time it was for a good cause.”

Actor Peter Egan, who featured in ITV costume drama Downton Abbey, hosted the event as the UK ambassador of Animals Asia.