Gervais to voice 'Family Guy' dolphin

LONDON, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- British actor and writer Ricky Gervais is to lend his voice to a dolphin character on America's edgy animated comedy series "Family Guy," the BBC said.

The creator and star of the original British version of "The Office" has signed on to play dolphin Billy Flynn for a season.

"'Family Guy' is my favorite show at the moment. I watch two a night and I'm slightly obsessed," the BBC quoted Gervais as saying.

"When ['Family Guy'] creator Seth McFarlane phoned me out of the blue and said he was a huge fan I was delighted," he added. "It was such a joy working with the team and I really like the way my character looks, too."