Ricky Gervais pens new sitcom

London - Ricky Gervais is writing a new sitcom for Keith Chegwin, Les Dennis and Shaun Williamson.

The funnyman hopes to revive the flailing careers of his three actor pals by penning a new series which will see the former TV stars take the lead roles.

Former child star Keith, 55, told the Daily Star newspaper: "I haven't seen a script or anything but I've had the odd phone call from Ricky asking me questions about my career. I'm so excited.

"I never thought this would happen at my time in life. Normally you're out to graze at my age and here I am looking at new projects."

'Naturalist actors'

Ricky had high praises for his friends, whom he has already invited to star in his popular shows Life's Too Short and Extras, commenting: "They are brilliant naturalist actors."

Keith's career peaked in the 80s thanks to TV shows like Saturday Superstore and Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, and his low point came in 2000 when he presented game show Naked Jungle in the nude.

Entertainer Les Dennis hosted Family Fortunes for 15 years, but his career suffered after his breakdown in the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2002 over his failed marriage to Amanda Holden.

Shaun Williamson is best known for playing Barry Evans on EastEnders and has found it difficult to find work as an actor since leaving the soap in 2004.

The upcoming series is due to air in 2013.