British comic Ricky Gervais is to appear alongside Big Bird and Elmo on hit U.S. children's TV show Sesame Street.

The Office funnyman will join the likes of David Beckham, Jessica Alba and Robert De Niro who have all starred in the long-running show.

And Gervais admits he agreed to the part because the role was too big to refuse. He writes on his website, "I've been asked to do Sesame Street - there are some things you don't turn down."

The star also revealed he has approached Danny DeVito, Michael Douglas and Al Pacino to make cameo appearances in the third series of his hit sitcom Extras, in which A-list stars play themselves alongside Gervais' struggling actor character Andy Millman. (WFL/WNWCCB/ZN)

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