Hurley and Cleese make faces

Hurley is used to her face being the centre of attention

Actress and model Liz Hurley is to team up with veteran comedian John Cleese for a new TV series focusing on the human face.

Hurley - the face of cosmetics company Estée Lauder - will appear in the four-part BBC documentary programme early next year.

The programme, called The Human Face, will be presented and written by former Monty Python and Fawlty Towers star Cleese.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "The programme will be looking at the evolution of faces, and their different shapes and features.

Exploring beauty

"It will try to explore ideas of what is beautiful and what is not, while looking at issues such as fame, modelling and cosmetic surgery."

Cleese is better known as the manic owner of Fawlty Towers

Cleese is best known for his role as manic seaside guesthouse owner Basil Fawlty in the anarchic 1970s sitcom.

More recently, he has been seen carving a niche for himself in advertising and corporate films.

Hurley's involvement alongside Cleese is described as "significant" but she is not likely be appearing throughout the series.

Programme makers may also approach other stars to take part.