...as a dolphin

Ricky Gervais is to play a dolphin in Family Guy.

The Office star has joined the cast for one season to play Billy Flynn, a marine mammal who moves into the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island, in an episode called Be Careful What You Fish For.

He said: ‘Family Guy is my favourite show at the moment. I watch two a night and I'm slightly obsessed.

‘When [creator] Seth McFarlane phoned me out of the blue and said he was a huge fan I was delighted. And I really like the way my character looks

‘It was absolutely fucking brilliant working with Seth, and he let me go crazy with ad libbing too. A new highlight in my career.

Gervais is no stranger to cartoon cameos, having appeared twice in The Simpsons, including one episode which he wrote.

Published: 5 Aug 2011