Swedish tourists confuse Ricky Gervais for De Niro

Jul 9, 2008, 10:20 GMT

10/03/2007 - Ricky Gervais - De Niro confusion? We are confused too...© Solarpix / PR Photos

Ricky Gervais was chased by tourists in America who thought he was Robert De Niro.

The 47-year-old British comedian was walking in Los Angeles when spotted by Swedish holidaymakers.

The group pursued him down the street, shouting one of 64-year-old Robert's most famous movie lines after him.

An onlooker told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Ricky is hugely popular in Hollywood, so it wasn't a surprise to see him chased by autograph hunters.

"But this quartet of fairly elderly folk on their vacation seemed a bit confused. They kept yelling at him, 'Are you looking at me?'

"It was chucklesome as their broken English added to the surreal situation.

"Then a pretty shop assistant from a boutique spoke to one of them and worked out that they thought Ricky was Robert De Niro.

"They were obviously trying to speak the line, 'Are you talking to me?' from De Niro's 'Taxi Driver' but getting it slightly wrong. It was all very funny."

The tourists eventually caught up with the 'The Office' star - however it is unclear whether they realised their mistake.

The source added: "They caught up with Ricky and though I'm not sure the confusion was cleared up, they were happy.

"They came away talking about pigs feet and tried to order some in the Ivy."