Ricky Gervais to appear on NBC's The Office

New York - NBC says Ricky Gervais will make a cameo appearance on The Office next week, reprising the role he played in the original British version that he helped create.

NBC said on Wednesday that Gervais's brief appearance on January 27 will be as David Brent. That's the smart-alecky paper salesman who inspired the character of Michael Scott, portrayed by Steve Carell on NBC's successful adaptation of the comedy.

Gervais, who caused a stir as the insult-slinging host of the Golden Globes earlier this week, serves as an executive producer of NBC's The Office.

Gervais's appearance was originally reported on Entertainment Weekly's website.