FANS of comedian Ricky Gervais snapped up 1,800 tickets for his show at Oxford's New Theatre in under an hour yesterday.

The stampede began at 10am and the show, on February 7, was sold out by 10.45am.

By 11.30am, more than 15 of the £25 tickets had been put up for sale on Internet auction site eBay, with bids of up to £80 registered for two seats in the main circle.

New Theatre spokesman Joel Barnett said it was one of the fastest sell-outs for a show that he had known.

He added: "It's great when things like this happen.

"I did expect it to sell out fast, but certainly not this quickly."

Mr Barnett said the majority of tickets were sold over the phone and on the web, but about 50 people queued outside the theatre, in George Street.

The theatre holds a number of good seats for those who buy directly from the venue.

He added that the theatre had also set up a waiting list for those hopeful of getting returned tickets, but could not make any guarantees.

Three-time Bafta winner Gervais, who grew up in Reading, is best known for his BBC2 sitcom The Office, which he co-wrote and co-directed with friend Stephen Merchant.

Besides writing and directing the show, Gervais is celebrated for playing the lead role of boss-from-hell David Brent.

In 2005, Gervais returned to the BBC with his new sitcom Extras.

Fame is his latest UK stand-up tour and will see him visit 11 venues, beginning with Glasgow on January 8.

Like previous tours Politics and Animals, Gervais will share his tongue-in-cheek thoughts on showbusiness, celebrity and his weight.

It is the most recent in a year of big name sell-outs at the New Theatre.

Other acts that have sold out in under an hour include Paul Weller, McFly, the Moody Blues and Little Britain.

Demand for Little Britain was so high that five shows were performed at the New Theatre, all selling out.