Cruise confirmed for Ross return

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise has been confirmed to appear on Jonathan Ross's first chat show when it returns following his three-month suspension.

Cruise will appear alongside Stephen Fry and comedian Lee Evans when the show returns on 23 January.

The star is due in London next week to promote his latest film, Valkyrie.

Ross was suspended in October over his role in the Radio 2 phone calls row involving comedian Russell Brand and Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs.

It will be Cruise's first appearance on Ross's chat show, although he has previously been interviewed by the star for his BBC One film review series.

Rockers Franz Ferdinand will also appear on the programme to perform their new single Ulysses.

Filming of Ross's comeback show is expected to take place on Wednesday or Thursday next week.

The presenter will also resume his Radio 2 show on 24 January.

Film 2009, also fronted by Ross, will return to BBC One two days later.

The BBC came under fire last year after Brand and Ross left a series of obscene messages on Mr Sachs's answering machine during a recording of Brand's radio show.

The presenters revealed Brand had slept with the 78-year-old actor's granddaughter, Georgina Baillie, and joked that he might kill himself as a result.

Brand and two senior Radio 2 executives resigned, while Ross was suspended without pay for 12 weeks.