Karl Pilkington has signed on the dotted line for An Idiot Abroad spin-off The Short Way Round, according to the show’s creator Ricky Gervais.
The 50-year-old comedian was speaking at the launch of new Channel 4 comedy pilot, Derek, when he confirmed that Pilkington would be involved in the show along with Life Is Short star, Warwick Davis.
âHe’s finally signed a contract for The Short Way Round, cycling round the world with a dwarf in his basket.
“When I told him that idea, he didn’t say âthat’s ridiculousâ?, he said âso I’m doing all the fucking peddling?â? That was his first problem with the idea.â?
But the Extras star went on to explain that Karl took some convincing.
âI can persuade him now. I try lots of things and then, eventually, I can see heâs interested in something Iâve said and then I work on that.
“He signed the contract this week, so he can’t back out nowâ¦he’s in too deep!”
Pilkington has already filmed two series of An Idiot Abroad for Sky1, which saw him thrust into the deepest, darkest corners of the globe by Gervais and writing partner, Stephen Marchant.
Gervais announced last year that Life’s Too Short will return for a second series on BBC Two in spring 2013 but the comedy duo are also on track with the making of a âshortâ? special. Gervais added: “We’ve just started writing this week a special of Life’s Too Short, which is at the moment turning into a spinoff series with Les Dennis, Barry from EastEnders (Shaun Williamson) and Cheggers (Keith Chegwin). I couldn’t resist it.”
