Richard Ayoade, star of The IT Crowd and Last One Laughing, has joined the impressive ensemble cast of a much-loved murder mystery series, alongside a host of other celebrated British stars. The Deadline report emerged just hours after witnesses claimed that Ayoade had been involved in a car crash that allegedly hospitalised two people.

The actor, comedian and presenter is amongst several high-profile names joining the cast of Only Murders in the Building's sixth season, which is set to be based in London. Homegrown British talent recruited for the latest chapter of Disney+'s hugely popular murder mystery drama — which stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez — also includes Doctor Who alumni David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker, alongside Bridgerton favourite Nicola Coughlan.

Additional cast members announced today include Jim Broadbent (Paddington), Adrian Lukis (The Outlaws) and Kathryn Hunter (Poor Things).

Previously confirmed cast members include Coughlan's Bridgerton co-star Simone Ashley, Absolutely Fabulous legend Jennifer Saunders, Bad Sisters' Sharon Horgan, and The Office star Martin Freeman.

Further recurring stars include Sean Teale, Amar Chadha-Patel, Rhea Norwood, Matthew Beard, Geri Halliwell-Horner, Jamie Demetriou, Anjana Vasan, Jane Horrocks, Derek Jacobi and Lesley Nicol.

Reach PLC has approached Disney+ for confirmation.

Production is currently under way in the UK, with no release date for the sixth season confirmed as yet. News of Ayoade's casting comes on the very same day that The Sun reported he had been caught up in a road collision on Saturday, 13th June in south-east London.

The 49 year old actor was behind the wheel in East Dulwich when a Renault was reportedly observed "speeding" by witnesses at the scene.

Bystanders claimed a woman had been struck by the Renault before the driver ploughed into Ayoade's vehicle, a Mercedes SUV, causing considerable damage to the front right section.

The actor was reportedly spotted clutching his neck as he stepped out of his car at a nearby roundabout and speaking with officers.

The London Ambulance Service confirmed in a statement: "We treated two women at the scene before taking them to a major trauma centre."

Only Murders in the Building is available to stream on Disney+.