Ricky eyes Simpsons role

Britain's golden boy of comedy, Ricky Gervais, could be making a cameo appearance in hit TV cartoon series The Simpsons.

The Office comedy star has been in talks with Simpsons creator Matt Groening, who asked the Golden-Globe winner whether he'd like to contribute a voice to the show.

Ricky is keen to appear alongside Homer, Marge and Bart, but not in the guise of his Slough paper merchant alter-ego David Brent, says his spokeswoman.

"Ricky had lunch with Matt Groening — and he thinks the Simpsons is the best thing on TV," she said.

"Matt asked him if he'd like to do a voice and he said he’d love to, but definitely not as David Brent. So Matt's gone away to think about what to do."

Should Ricky star in the show, he will join fellow Brits Tony Blair, Simon Cowell, Sting and Paul McCartney, who have all featured in Simpsons episodes.

The 42-year-old Reading native will next appear on American screens as a bombs expert in the TV spy show Alias.