Extras star Ricky: I’ll be having laff in BB
COMIC IS AIMING TO ANNOY TELLY CELEBS
RICKY Gervais has issued a “come and get me” plea to Celebrity Big Brother.
But the comedian would only sign up if he could take his wicked sense of humour into the house. His plea follows rumours that the Channel 5 reality show is set for the chop due to plummeting ratings. Ricky, 56, who appeared in a joke Big Brother sketch on Extras – where his character Andy Millman asks “having a laff ?” – said: “I’d do it if I could go in, wind them all up, steal their fags and then leave before bedtime.” Channel 5 has refused to comment on speculation that Big Brother and its celebrity version could get axed after this summer’s two planned series. The show was trounced by ITV2’s Love Island in the ratings war last year. But bosses hope a successful “members of the public” show this summer, followed by Ricky in a celebrity version, could help save the programme. Ratings have been slipping, with an average 1.2million viewers for last year’s Big Brother, while the celebrity version this year attracted 1.9m. Meanwhile, football broadcasting legend John Motson is being tipped for a stint on Strictly after his final live radio commentary at the weekend. Bookies William Hill have made the 72-yearold the shortest-priced celeb to appear on this year’s show at 3-1. The company’s Joe Crilly said: “Motty is BBC through and through and should he be up for it. He is almost certain to get the call.”