Brent's back!

Gervais to make a brief return to The Office...

11:00 20 January 2011

Comedian Ricky Gervais is set to return to The Office, it has been revealed.

Gervais will have a cameo in the US version of the show, appearing as his character, David Brent.

Created by Gervais and Stephen Merchant, The Office was a hit in the UK before it was remade in the US by NBC.

The American Office, which stars Steve Carell as Brent's counterpart Michael Scott, is now in its seventh series.

The British version ran for two series, before returning for two final Christmas specials in 2003.

Forty-seven-year-old Ricky also hosted this year's Golden Globes in the US, causing controversy as he poked fun at a number of high profile celebrities.

Mixed reactions

Charlie Sheen, Bruce Willis and Robert Downey Jr all came under fire from the comedian.

Downey Jr didn't take Gervais' jokes too well, saying on the night:

"Aside from the fact that it's been hugely mean-spirited, with mildly sinister undertones, I'd say the vibe of the show is pretty good so far, wouldn't you?”

However, Ricky was unrepentant. Speaking in an interview with Piers Morgan on his CNN chat show, he said:

"It's not my job to worry about what people think of me. That's the job of a politician.

"They hired me for a job, if they didn't want me, they shouldn't have hired me."

It was Gervais' second time presenting the awards in the US.

He will appear in on The Office on 27 January.