Comedic actor Ricky Gervais has agreed to lend his voice to the popular animated series The Simpsons to play a cartoon version of himself in an episode to air in early 2011. The guest star stint will be the comedian’s second on the programme, as he voiced a British office manager on an episode that aired in 2006, which he also helped develop.

Speaking with the website Chortle, Gervais said: “I recorded [the voiceover] last week. Didn’t mention it as I don’t like to show off. You know that. It’s a fun episode.” He added: “It’s weird that I can talk about popping up in The Simpsons so casually.”

Working on The Simpsons appears to have been a lifelong dream-come-true for Gervais, as he said: “When I first got into comedy someone asked what my ultimate ambition was. I said, ‘to get a joke on the The Simpsons.’ I have been a very lucky boy indeed.”

Not only has Ricky been able to “get a joke on The Simpsons,” but will have been featured on the series twice in addition to befriending the show’s creator Matt Groening along the way. Congratulations on achieving your greatest ambition Ricky… twice!

Here’s one Brit’ that made it in Hollywood without the help of Simon Cowell – Ricky Gervais…

And it’s just been announced that Gervais has signed on to host the 2011 Golden Globe Awards!

The British funnyman, who hosted the 2010 ceremony, brought in good ratings to NBC earlier this year despite mixed reviews for his performance – and this time he has vowed to go all out to upset producers.

The President of the Golden Globes, Philip Berk says he is delighted to see Gervais return. But Ricky joked, “I can’t believe they invited me back after awful things I said.” Neither can I Ricky, neither can I…

One can already hear the cheers from the ‘little people’ in the lands far, far away; excited of the news I’m about to bring them… (Laughs)

Ok, so this is not a fairytale, but the news is joyous…

The BBC has finally given Ricky Gervais‘ sitcom about the day-to-day frustrations of being a dwarf the go ahead.

Gervais and Stephen Merchant, who created The Office, have both written the project and will executive produce.

A 30-minute pilot of Life’s Too Short is to be screened by BBC2 and will star Warwick Davis, who had the lead in the movie Willow, as well as guest appearances in the Harry Potter films.

Gervais said: “We’re having so much fun working with Warwick. Pound for pound he is one of the funniest men I know.”

Ricky’s a bit of a short-ass at 5′ 8″, maybe he should have cast himself as the dwarf… Just a suggestion (RUDE)!

Ricky Gervais‘s hotly anticipated performance at host at the Golden Globes has garnered some harsh words from US TV critics.

He was branded ‘tasteless’ and ‘unfunny’ by the Chicago Sun Times, while Entertainment Weekly listed him under their worst moments of the show.

Ricky’s act included jibes to Sir Paul McCartney about his costly divorce, and quips about Mel Gibson and Colin Farrell’s drinking. Even America’s sweetheart, Jennifer Aniston, wasn’t safe. Gervais introduced her as ‘Rachel from Friends’, which the actress was supposedly upset about.

Personally, I think the Americans need to lighten up a little, I loved Gervais’s delivery, it was stellar!

The whole point of hiring a comedian like Ricky is that he’s not going to suck up to the A-list, and far from ‘offending’ stars like Macca, apparently Sir Paul found the whole thing funny. He gave Ricky a big hug backstage and told him he loved the joke.

Hollywood has a habit of taking itself a teensy bit seriously, so why shouldn’t Ricky create a few laughs at their expense?

And remember how Russell Brand got slated when he presented the MTV Awards in 2008? The media must have been the only ones that were outraged because he was invited back again in 2009. Team Ricky for Golden Globes 2011!