Ricky Gervais has once again insisted that the upcoming third season of After Life will be the last.

The comedian has broken with his own tradition of limiting self-starring shows to just two seasons by agreeing to write and star in a third season of the dark Netflix comedy, for release some time in 2021.

"I've already made my mind up there just won't be a fourth," he told The Sun. "You never say never but you put those things out there to make you remember because it's tempting, it's very tempting.

"The audience think they want another one but they don't know, they're not sure, so you've got to be careful."

Gervais has also been linked with producing a Christmas special of the show although neither he nor Netflix has yet confirmed a bonus episode.