Ricky Gervais seemingly wants to join the likes of Elvis and David Bowie and create his own ABBA-style avatar show.

The comic, 63, has raised eyebrows after applying to trademark his name in virtual reality.

It would allow for The Office star and stand up to be beamed out in arenas in digital form – allowing him to perform gigs from thousands of miles away. 

Legal papers asking for a trademark have been registered for ‘entertainment and educational services, namely, provision of an immersive 3D virtual and augmented reality experiences in the nature of non-downloadable feature films, videos, and music videos.’

The documents lodged with the Intellectual Property Office in London also ask for permission to market games, toys, clothes and even kitchen items.

The move to trademark his virtual being follows the estates of George Michael and Freddie Mercury, who also filed documentation showing they plan to branch out into live events – inspired by ABBA Voyage.

Ricky Gervais seemingly wants to join the likes of Elvis and David Bowie and create his own ABBA-style avatar show

The move to trademark his virtual being follows the estates of George Michael and Freddie Mercury, who also filed documentation showing they plan to branch out into live events – inspired by ABBA Voyage (Pictured)

Queen guitarist Brian May, told The Graham Norton Radio Show podcast: ‘We’ve talked about – and looked at – very seriously, holograms of Freddie and stuff. 

‘Now, when we’re all gone, yeah sure, make an Abba thing about us. But while we’re here I want to play live. I don’t want to be a hologram – I want to be me.’

Bands like Oasis have also taken similar plans, while rockers KISS have unveiled ‘immortal’ digital avatars that will carry on their performances when band members are no longer able to tour.

The rash of projects involving holograms of pop stars has been fuelled by the success of London’s ABBA Voyage show, which sold more than a million tickets in the first year, and is one of London’s most visited attractions.

ABBA Voyage, launched in 2022, has holographic avatars of Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson singing crowd favourites such as Dancing Queen and Waterloo.

And the recreation of music legends is likely to be a huge hit with fans and the economy.

The positive financial impact of the Swedish hit-makers’ new venture in London has been revealed in a new report.

The four-piece band are represented as digital avatars in the popular attraction at Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Park in east London, previously home of the London 2012 Olympics.

The comic, 63, has raised eyebrows after applying to trademark his name in virtual reality (Seen in 2022)

And ABBA are evidently making ‘money, money, money’, to quote one of their hits, according to the new study. 

ABBA’s hologram showed ABBA Voyage has pumped £322million into the British economy – with more than a million tickets bought at up to £181.50 each.

In September, it was revealed that David Bowie could return to the stage in a hologram eight years after his death.

The late music icon pᴀssed away in January 2016, at age 69, after being diagnosed with liver cancer.

Talks are said to be in place to create an animated adventure of his career and a name has been formally trademarked under a classification which includes avatars, according to The Sun. 

ABBA Voyage, launched in 2022, has holographic avatars of Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson singing crowd favourites such as Dancing Queen and Waterloo 

In September, it was revealed that David Bowie could return to the stage in a hologram eight years after his death

A source told the publication: ‘Avatar shows are big business and ABBA’s groundbreaking show has proved there is a huge demand.

‘Getting David on stage again in the form of a hologram would be huge.’ The trademark ‘means the team can forge ahead with plans’, the source added.

More than 18 months ago, it was revealed that a virtual reality avatar of the hit singer was already in the works.

The iconic singer, whose last album came out just a week before his pᴀssing, died from liver cancer aged 69 in New York surrounded by his family.