Ricky Gervais to return as David Brent

As The Sun revealed last year, superstar Ricky has agreed to appear as insufferable boss David for the finale of the American series.

And he will be seen chatting to actor Steve Carrell who plays Michael Scott - the Stateside equivalent of Brent.

Co-stars predict his appearance, which airs in America next week, will garner the highest ever ratings for the show.

The 49-year-old - who upset a slew of A-listers with his cheeky comments when he hosted America's Golden Globes on Sunday night - even filmed his scene for FREE to keep his appearance off the paperwork and top secret.

Ricky's return - his first appearance as David Brent since The Office Christmas Special aired in the UK in 2003 - was a surprise to network NBC, who weren't even told Ricky had been on set and shot takes as Brent.

US Office star, Craig Robinson - who plays warehouseman Darryl Philbin, confirmed at a BAFTA LA event: "Yeah, I hear Ricky Gervais is gonna appear as David Brent.

"That's the dream, dream, dream episode. I think that would get the highest ratings of anything, ever.

"They had to make that happen. Absolutely. David Brent and Michael Scott together - come on!"

The scenes were filmed in honour of Steve's last series as the socially inept boss.

The show's Paul Lieberstein said: "It's a little more than if you blink, you'll miss it."

He said the meeting between Brent and Scott takes place away from the office - again to keep his appearance quiet.

He said: "It's just the two of them interacting. It's just a little nod to Steve and his final year."

Ricky was shuttled onto the set amid a veil of secrecy.

Producer Paul added: "We didn't even tell NBC at first. So Ricky worked for free. But don't print that - it might get him in trouble with the INS (which houses America's Department of Labor)."

The appearance will come as Steve Carell prepares to step down from the role of Michael Scott in the NBC series, which has made Ricky a fortune as creator and executive producer.

Steve was one of Ricky's targets at Sunday's Golden Globes ceremony, when he jokingly introduced him saying: "He is leaving, killing a cash cow for both of us - the ungrateful Steve Carell."

The Office: An American Workplace series five is available on DVD from February 7, courtesy of Universal Playback.

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3362720/Ricky-Gervais-to-return-as-David-Brent.html

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