Groening begs Gervais for help

Cartoonist Matt Groening is pleading with British funnyman Ricky Gervais to return as a guest star in The Simpsons.

The Office actor Gervais became the first guest star to receive a writing credit following his successful role in the hit animation in 2006.

And now Groening is hoping Gervais will make a cameo comeback.

He says: "We loved having him on the show. Whatever he wants to do - we'd love to have his character return. Or he could do something completely new.

"It was such a thrill for us to have him - the main reason we have guests on

is because we're fans."