RICKY GERVAIS came under-fire yesterday from Simon Pegg by criticising the British film industry’s meagre production of decent films in the last 60 years.

Now, one must wonder what these two comedy heavyweights are trying to achieve here, apart from inane banter between two very “iconic” characters of the past few years. Pegg, who appeared in Shaun of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, slammed The Office star for his claims and retorted: “He says a lot of things that man. He said there had been no good British films since 1950. What an idiot. If you go to Los Angeles, you can get sucked in to that.”

Pegg later went on to brand Gervais as ‘one of the fat people in Los Angeles’, which will hardly measure one iota on Gervais’ radar of concern. It appears many figures in the public eye are out to give each other a good caining currently, but this pair’s threat to each other has resulted in a recent rivalry. However, one must conclude Gervais possibly has the upper hand on this latest slur from his contemporary.

Gervais, who is a serial comedy prize winner, including BAFTAs and Golden Globes, saw his hap-hazard cringey boss character, David Brent, wow audiences of the BBC, with The Office’s second series topping BBC2’s ratings, let alone its success in the USA. Gervais also starred in the sitcom Extras, playing Andy Millman, a background-artist, who never quite managed to launch his acting career, but in reality, Extras gained a Golden Globe award for Best Television Series this year.

Mr Pegg meanwhile has gone unnoticed in Television and has instead gained greater acclaim for his film roles in Shaun of The Dead and Hot Fuzz, with cameos in comedies Black Books and I’m Alan Partridge the most prolific of his sparse TV career.

It is easy to identify both have had success in their respective fields or niches, with Pegg appearing to suit the roles of quirky comedy films with action-packed storylines far better than Gervais, but the latter seeming adept at representing nearly-men of everyday life compared to his rival.

It is a joke (a bloody good one at that) therefore that either man makes such claims about one another. Yes, Gervais has perhaps eaten a few too many Pukka Pies and has a gut which its contents could feed a third world country, but he certainly can deliver stand-up comedy to perfection, rivalling Jimmy Carr, Lee Evans or even Billy Connolly. Likewise, Pegg has perhaps been a one-trick pony in the roles he has reprised on screen (sound familiar, Ricky?), but he may be right to praise the British film industry.

After all, if any of the Monty Python series, Get Carter, James Bond epics, Quadrophenia, Remains of The Day, The Descent, Billy Elliott, Sam Mendes’ directing of American Beauty and Road To Perdition, or any Richard Curtis films are observed, Gervais has a poor argument. His “subtle” hints that Pegg’s starring roles in Shaun of The Dead and Hot Fuzz are part of the British film decline, present a cheap-shot, as does Pegg’s possible alluding to Gervais’ sad adoption of “American-isation” including greasy burgers and ego-mania. Though, Gervais can afford to do it, as can Pegg afford to defend our kingdom’s heritage of great films. However, will people view anything Gervais or Pegg starred in as noteworthy in comparison during the next 60 years with the last 60? Or will people be-little the entertaining banter between two bitter rivals, who are at the moment increasingly rising higher in stardom?

Traditionally the British film industry has lacked spice compared to America commercially, but that does not necessarily suggest British films are unpopular. It is a matter of debate whether the million pound sellers of gangster flicks Layer Cake and Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels were successes and it is entirely Gervais’ right to express his opinion. Like it is for Pegg to criticise Gervais for his appearance. But whilst one could suggest either man is unrivalled in his respective role, the sad reality is that scathing attacks like this (however entertaining they may be) only deter from recognising either’s legendary status, whilst furthermore the greatest misguided-attack is on the British film industry at a time when Britain could do without another “kick up the jacksie” from a pair of squabbling idiots who refuse to respect each other and moreover, Britain.

Though if Britain is not good for films, then we are certainly good for producing a wealth of numpty celebrities like Gervais and Pegg. Stick to your talents lads and rise above the tittle-tattle, if your egos can avoid it that is.