Tom Cruise signs up for Extras

Tom Cruise will appear in the next series of Extras, Ricky Gervais has confirmed.

The comic has approached a number of big-name stars for the second run of the BBC Two comedy, but only Cruise has so far agreed.

He told ITV: 'As far as Brad Pitt, David Bowie and Madonna are concerned, they are fans but the only one we have signed up is Tom Cruise so far.

'Anything could happen so I'm not counting my chickens.'

When asked why so many Hollywood stars were prepared to sign up for the show, he replied, 'I don't know, maybe they're masochists.'

Celebrities appearing in the first series included Samuel L Jackson, Ben Stiller and Patrick Stewart.

And while Gervais is busy chasing new names, Kate Winslet has asked him if she can be in the show again.

She said she enjoyed the humour of the series - which portrayed her taking a part in a Holocaust drama just to win an Oscar - so much she wanted to return.

She said: 'It was fun taking the piss out of myself. That's something that truly reminds you that you're British.

'When you can laugh at yourself it's very healthy. I'd beg to be in the next series if they'd have me.'

Published: 6 Nov 2005