Ricky Gervais returns to Xfm

Ricky Gervais is returning to the airwaves after taking a year-long break to write his latest sitcom Extras

The Office star will present a radio show with his comedy partner Stephen Merchant on London-based indie station Xfm, for six weeks.

The pair presented the Saturday afternoon show for two years on the station, before taking a break last year to go to the US, while a new version of The Office was made for American audiences.

Now they are making a temporary return to host the off-the-wall show, which won a bronze Sony award in 2002, from May 28.

Gervais began his radio career as head of speech six years ago at Xfm, before gaining a presenting job, and seeing his career take off with The Office.

Xfm programme controller Andy Ashton said: "Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are great friends of the station.

"We're delighted Ricky is coming back for six weeks.

"He started his radio career at Xfm six years ago and we're over the moon that he still feels such affinity for the station."