Extras to bow out with final show

Extras stars Gervais (r) as an actor and Merchant (l) as his agent

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have decided they will only write one more episode of their TV comedy Extras.

They will end the BBC Two show with a special finale rather than writing a third series - exactly as they did with their earlier hit, The Office.

"We don't have a date or any details about the cast yet," said a spokeswoman for Gervais, adding that the idea was in its "very, very early" stages.

But "they will, at some point, sit down together and write it", she confirmed.

Awards

The programme has so far featured cameo appearances by stars such as Kate Winslet, David Bowie and Robert De Niro.

Gervais plays Andy Millman, an actor whose career has had varying levels of success.

Merchant is his generally incompetent agent, Darren Lamb.

Merchant beat Gervais to the best actor prize at the British Comedy Awards in December, as well as taking Switzerland's Rose d'Or honour for best sitcom.

Co-star Ashley Jensen won best sitcom actress at the ceremony.