Ricky Gervais has started shooting the third series of his acclaimed Netflix show After Life.

Gervais posted a picture of himself on Twitter this morning (Monday, April 19) with the smiple caption of "Action!"

Over the weekend he also posted a tantalising picture of himself holding up a shooting script featuring today's date with the caption: "I’d better learn my lines."

Gervais finished writing the first draft of the third series last September. He posted the news on Twitter with a picture of a copy of the script accompanied by a bottle of Glenfiddich whisky and the words "This calls for a little celebration".

Fans of the series were quick to get excited on social media, showing their appreciation with pictures of more bottles of whisky and dancing Gifs.

Actor Tony Way, who plays photographer Lenny in the series, had a different jokey response, describing the draft as "150 pages of @rickygervais shopping lists and biro sketched cocks and balls."

Details of the latest storyline has been kept under wraps.

Gervais revealed that there would be a third series back in May, tweeting: "Because so many of you watched #AfterLife2 so quickly and made it Number 1 again, the nice people at @Netflix have suggested that I get off my fat arse and do another season. This is all your fault."

Pictures: Twitter