THE first time Ricky Gervais was cast in a big screen Muppets movie his scene was left on the cutting room floor. He has better luck with the sequel Muppets Most Wanted as he’s one of the – human – stars.

As Dominic Badguy he’s alongside the Muppet gang on a global tour that turns into an international crime caper. He’ll be talking about the movie as Alan Carr: Chatty Man returns.

No doubt Gervais, ppiictuureedd, will be reiterating his comment at this week’s Muppets Most Wanted press conference that “This isn’t a job, is it? This is just fun. I’m a big kid and can’t believe my luck. I’ve been a fan of the Muppets for years. I used to watch them on Sundays with my family. So this was a bit cool to get.”

Carr returns with a new series of Chatty Man with Gervais on the sofa and no one would be surprised if Kermit and Miss Piggy also put in appearances to add to the mayhem.

Carr has been explaining his approach to his celebrity guests. “You worry and think ‘What if they don’t say anything? What if they don’t like me?’ But I’m talking to professional people who have been in the business ages.

“As soon as they realise you’re not trying to catch them out, and you just want to have fun, and you’ll mention their book/film/equestrian range, they’re happy to have fun.”

The emphasis is definitely on having a good time. “My problem with chat shows was that they’re all a bit serious, and I don’t like that kind of chat show. ‘Come back after the break and we’ll talk about my miscarriage.’ That’s not really my cup of tea,” says Carr.

“I felt I wasn’t serious enough to do it.

But I think that’s one of the good things about Chatty Man: it’s just chat. I don’t want to see anyone crying, I don’t want to hear about how they were abused as a child, we just want a laugh and a bit of fun, as if they’re a friend and they’ve just come round and sat at my table and we’re having tea and cake or whatever.”

But don’t be fooled in to thinking he’s bland. “I get away with a lot anyway, because I’m quite cheeky, so I do try and push the envelope a little bit,” says Carr.

Also joining him in tonight’s show is Gary Barlow, who performs his new single Since I Saw You Last.