“Working with YouTube is a fantastic opportunity for new content to be made available without the limitations of schedules and international restrictions,” Gervais said in a statement (via Deadline Hollywood). “Viewing habits are changing. And anyone who doesn’t realize that will be left behind.”

Gervais’s new channel is part of a multi-million-dollar push by YouTube to offer more original content on its platform. Gervais is the probably the biggest star so far to launch his own channel; British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver signed up in January.

The Reading, England-born comic said his listing at Celebrity Networth, which claims he is worth $80m (£49.2m), was “spot on”. Writing on his blog, he said: “Wow! I think there must be a leak at my accountants … I know it sounds a lot, but remember, I donate a lot of this to good causes. (The Inland Revenue mainly.)

“Now this is out, I will have to get my family a million scratchcards each for Christmas. I have decided to use the rest of the money to take over Libya.”

Gervais’s net worth will no doubt have climbed a million or two following his hosting appearance at last month’s Golden Globes, which made headlines around the world. He sparked controversy thanks to an opening routine that poked fun at various nominees and jokingly suggested the judges took bribes.

Meanwhile, the U.S. version of his breakthrough comedy, The Office, has been sold into syndication and the second series of The Ricky Gervais Show is currently screening on HBO. Gervais’s second appearance on The Simpsons also aired in the U.S. earlier this week.

This article originally appeared in Guardian.