Jim Carrey could be America's David Brent

Hollywood comedian Jim Carrey may be set to replace the American version of Ricky Gervais' creation, David Brent.

Steve Carell, who plays manager Michael Scott, announced that he would be leaving the popular US sitcom at the end of its seventh season and a special hour long episode is being filmed with Jim Carrey leading a host stars who are applying for the managerial job.

The Office creator, Ricky Gervais, will appear in the episode as ex Slough branch manager David Brent.

Other stars that will interview for Michael Scott's position will be James Spader, Ray Romano, Will Arnett and British comic Catherine Tate.

A firm favourite with fans is Anchorman actor Will Ferrell, who has already appeared in four episodes as a temporary boss called Deangelo Vickers.

Cast member John Krasinski said: "We don't know who will replace Steve yet, it might not even be a replacement of Steve, it might be more of a shift."

Steve Carrell says that he wants to leave the show to concentrate on his movie career.

Carrell has starred in such films as Evan Almighty, Anchorman and The 40-Year-Old Virgin and has just finished filiming Crazy, Stupid, Love, alongside Kevin Bacon, Marissa Tomei and Julianne Moore.