British comedian and actor Ricky Gervais has opened up about how he became pen pals with his hero David Bowie after the two wrote a song together.

The song – called ‘Pug-Nosed Face’ – came into being after Gervais sent Bowie lyrics.

During an interview with Magic 105.4 radio, Gervais explained: "I've written a song with him - it was called 'Pug-Nosed Face' and it was about me! I sent him the lyrics and I was talking to him on the phone and I was going, 'If you could do something really retro like 'Life on Mars'?' and he went, 'Oh sure, I'll just knock off a 'Life on Mars' for you then shall I?' It was great!

"Later he must have got my email and he said, 'I watched 'The Office'. It was funny. I laughed. What do I do now?' and we sort of became pen pals."

The star also admitted to sending the legendary singer abusive emails as a joke: "I remember I sent him an email on his 57th birthday and I said, '57! Isn't it about time you got a proper job? Ricky Gervais, 42, comedian.' And he wrote back, 'I have a proper job. David Bowie, 57, rock god'."

The full interview will air on November 28 on British station Magic 105.4.

Check out Bowie talking about their song below: