TWITTER/PH Ricky Gervais has been recognised as one of the planet’s leading animal champions

The comic genius has been presented with the Lord Houghton Award as a tribute for the way he gives animals “a loud and powerful voice”. Ricky was presented with his crystal trophy at a special ceremony staged by Animal Defenders International. As he received his award, Ricky said: “I am honoured to receive the Lord Houghton Award for a cause so close to my heart.

"The suffering of animals absolutely sickens me and I will continue to speak out and support the sterling work of organisations like Animal Defenders International.” The actor, currently on tour with his Humanity show, also spoke out against the Government’s continued dithering on introducing a ban on wild animals in English circuses. He added: “I am appalled that wild animals are still kept in circuses and fully support the call for a ban. It is high time that the Government got on and implemented one.”

PH Ricky was presented with the Lord Houghton Award at a special ceremony

The Lord Houghton Award is presented annually by a group of leading animal welfare organisations – Animal Defenders International, OneKind, Cruelty Free International and League Against Cruel Sports – with each one taking turns to nominate a recipient.

This award is for the role Ricky plays in giving animals a loud and powerful voice ADI President Jan Creamer

It was initiated in 1980 to mark the work of the Labour cabinet minister, MP and peer who actively campaigned for changes in legislation to bring about improvements in animal welfare, even into his nineties.

GETTY The actor also spoke out about the wild animals in circuses

GRAPHIC CONTENT: Worst cases of animal cruelty Mon, November 28, 2016 WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: As part of our new 'STOP THE CRUELTY' campaign we take a look at some of the most horrific cases animal cruelty. Play slideshow PA 1 of 32 Handout photo issued by the Orangutan Foundation of Aan, a critically-endangered orangutan who was blinded after being shot more than 100 times with an air rifle. Aan is to undergo an operation that could restore her sight.

Although Ricky has become a Hollywood superstar with a host of showbiz awards, he remains an outspoken voice on many animal issues, including trophy hunting, blood sports and animal experiments. He has more than 12 million followers on Twitter. Speaking out against lion trophy hunting on the eve of an international conference last autumn, he called for the big cats to be given greater protection, saying: "The survival of the African lion hangs in the balance. We must stop blood-thirsty hunters from decimating our wildlife for a barbaric adrenaline rush or trophy piece to show off to their mates.”

GETTY The megastar has always been outspoken about animal cruelty