Ricky Gervais has admitted he was left "terrified" after thinking he had caught the coronavirus.
Taking to Twitter to catch up with his fans, the actor, 58, opened up about the effect the deadly outbreak has had on his mental health.
Ricky started off his live video by explaining to his followers that he has always suffered with hypochondria, which has left him on edge about catching the killer bug.
The actor admitted that when he gets a sore throat, he immediately thinks it's cancer, and when he gets a little bit constipated, he automatically thinks it's bowel cancer.
Ricky explained: "A nurse once asked me when I went to get a check up about a sore throat that did I think it was cancer.
"I think she thought I would laugh and say no, but I was like 'yes, yes I really do bloody think it's cancer. Help me!".
The Office actor continued by stating one night this week when he went to bed, he felt ill and automatically thought it was the coronavirus.
Ricky admitted that the thought of catching the deadly but "terrified" him.
He said: "I went to bed and I had a bit of a stomach ache. I said to my wife it's coronavirus. So she got out of bed and took my temperature and said it was perfect".
The 58-year-old telly star continued to explain his symptoms included a cough, a runny nose and a sore throat.
After being talked down by his partner Jane, the actor realised it was simply his overactive mind playing tricks on him.
He continued: "I'm not a brave man, and I always think the worst. And when it's not the worst, I'm happy. So who is the real winner here?"
The actor's honest admission comes after he urged society to not be selfish as coronavirus continues to take hold.
The funnyman, 58, also encouraged his Twitter fans to make sure they follow government guidelines about hand washing and look out for the elderly.
Taking to the micro-blogging sitelast week, the After Life star penned: "Stay well. Take vitamins. Wash your hands. Don't be selfish."
He continued: "Make sure an elderly relative has everything they need. Some are too proud to ask. Be sensible. Drink at home. Everything you love doing you can do in a few weeks. Cheers."
The TV star's message received a positive response from his fans as they thanked him for his message in a worrying time.
One typed: "Good advice as always, sir & cheers to you! Thanks for everything you do to give us such a phenomenal plethora of gems to entertain us all!"
"Thank you for the positive message! A lot of us are worried about our older loved ones," added another.
A third typed: "Richy, you are my God you make me happy every day."
