The show follows Ricky's one-off programme in January

The four-part series follows a one-off special in January that saw the Extras star meet Larry David, creator of Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld.

Garry Shandling and Spinal Tap writer Christopher Guest have been confirmed, with two more stars to be announced.

Gervais has a cameo role in Guest's next film, For Your Consideration.

Channel 4 said the "wide-ranging" conversations would see Gervais and his interviewees "compare notes on their influences, their different paths to stardom and the approaches they bring to creating intelligent, durable and mould-breaking comedy".

'Unprecedented'

"Garry Shandling is one of the most influential comedians of the last 25 years," said Gervais. "He granted me a very rare interview.

"So why did I tell him he looks like Bingo from The Banana Splits?"

"We're thrilled that Ricky has committed for these films," said Channel 4's Andrew Mackenzie.

"The access he's getting to global comedy stars is unprecedented."