United Kingdom, March 25 -- Paul Rudd urged Steve Carell not to audition for The Office.

The 63-year-old actor played Michael Scott in the US reboot of the sitcom from 2005 to 2011 before making a surprise cameo in the 2013 finale, but he has admitted his friend advised him against the project because he thought remaking the British show was a bad idea.

Speaking to Amy Poehler on her Good Hang podcast, he said: "I remember Rudd pulled me aside and was like, 'Don't do it, man. Don't audition.' It was like, 'There is no way.' "

Amy replied: "Yeah. Everyone was like, don't even touch this."

Steve added: "10-foot pole."

Steve decided against watching the UK version of The Office because he had caught a glimpse of Ricky Gervais - who co-c...