Gervais to sing for Elmo on Sesame Street

Ricky Gervais is to appear in long-running US children's favourite Sesame Street, it was announced today.

The episode will be shot in New York next month and will see the Office star singing a self-penned song to furry red monster Elmo.

Gervais said: "I've always liked the show and, as a failed rock star, I try to squeeze in the odd composition whenever possible."

This is not the first time he has sung one of his own works on TV - in 2006 he appeared in an episode of The Simpsons in which he serenaded Marge with an original song.

The show attracted the highest viewing figures ever for a Simpsons episode on Sky One.