Ricky Gervais: I'm taking The Office to China

Comedian Ricky Gervais is making a version of his hit show The Office for Chinese television, he said today.

The sitcom, set in a Slough paper company, made the Reading-born comic a star and has been remade for viewers around the world including in America, France and Israel.

Writing on his blog, Gervais said: "I have some amazing news too. We are about to start work on developing a Chinese 'The Office'. How cool is that?"

Earlier this year it was announced the BBC had commissioned his latest sitcom - about the day-to-day frustrations of a dwarf.

Gervais and his comedy partner Stephen Merchant, who created The Office and Extras, have written Life's Too Short and will be executive producers, as well as appearing in the show.