British Comedy Guide chats to Kerry Godliman, who plays Hannah (pictured) in Derek...

Hi Kerry. We rarely gush praise, but we think you're ace in Derek. How did you come to be involved in the project, and how long did it take you to decide to take the role?

It took less than a second to decide to take the part of Hannah. I was over the moon to be asked.

I don't really know how I came to be involved in the project really. My agent said that Charlie Hanson, the producer, had been in touch and asked if I'd like to read the beginnings of the script and give him a ring after to chat it through. I loved what I read, it was like nothing I'd read or seen before and Hannah is such a great character. A carer, with a streak of violence. Brilliant. I went in for the meeting, met Ricky [Gervais], did some acting, and was offered the part.

Before the pilot was broadcast, it caused some controversy. What's your take on that?

Ricky said at the first meeting that he fully expected all the controversy to whip up. I admire his determination to stick with his vision. It's a shame that the hullabaloo distracted some people being objective.

Ricky's work always seems to attract a certain about of debate, which is a healthy thing for art to do. Also, 'sacred cows make great burgers'. I didn't make that up, Mark Twain said it. The fact is, it doesn't mock the disabled.

Now people can approach the series having actually seen the pilot, do you sense the controversy is over?

Who knows!

What's it like working with Ricky, Karl and David then? Ricky used to be terrible at corpsing - is he still bad?

There was a bit of corpsing, but it was very entertaining. Ricky's laugh is infectious. Karl and David were great to work with. It was a very happy ship.

In the pilot, Hannah seemed to have a complicated relationship situation. Any clues what we can expect in the series?

I'm giving nothing away.

Worth a try! You've appeared in lots of TV sitcoms and comedy dramas - Getting On, Miranda, Dead Boss for example - but, aside from Home Time, these have been supporting roles. It must be great to get a really 'juicy' lead role like this?

Yes, it has been a delight to do a bigger part. Hannah has so much depth.

When you do a supporting role you tend to feel a bit like your popping in on a project, but with a lead part I felt like a resident in 'Derek Land' for the duration.

Your next project is a Radio 4 series?

Yes, Kerry's List will be on Radio 4 in the spring. I've really enjoyed writing it and we'll be recording it in a few weeks. It's about the mania of having a 'to do' list. It's a sort of sketch, stand-up and sitcom mash up. I'm very excited about it.

Thanks very much for your time, and all the best with the series!

Derek is on Channel 4 on Wednesdays at 10pm from 30th January.