Ricky Gervais's De Niro praise

Ricky Gervais claims he made a fool of himself in front of Hollywood actor Robert De Niro - after praising him on the set of their new movie. The comic star recently fulfilled a lifetime ambition by working with the 'Taxi Driver' star on De Niro's new project 'Stardust'. However, despite keeping his composure for most of the shoot, Gervais admits he eventually lost his cool and told De Niro he was a big fan. He told Entertainment Weekly: "It was amazing and incredible. I had eight hours of bravado, being a normal person, and then before the last shot, I broke and went up to him and said, 'I think you're the best actor in the world. You're brilliant.'" "I still pinch myself that I'm working with these people. It's ridiculous. It's madness." Gervais - who recently penned an episode of 'The Simpsons' and voiced a character in the programme - says he is getting used to doing bit parts in Hollywood.

He explained: "I've done three cameos in three films this year, all three days long, all on screen for two minutes, so I've stuck my toe in the water