Episodes star Stephen Mangan has revealed he feared he was about to be arrested in Los Angeles – but the police were just stopping him to say they loved the show.

The British actor stars alongside Matt LeBlanc and Tamsin Greig in the hit BBC comedy, and has found he gets recognised a lot more in the US now.

Matt and Stephen and Tamsin in Episodes (BBC/HatTrick)
Matt and Stephen with Episodes co-star Tamsin Greig (BBC/HatTrick)

Stephen recalled: “I was walking through Beverly Hills and a police car screeched up, two cops got out and came over to me. They said, ‘Excuse me sir, we just wanna say we love Episodes.’

“It was terrifying and nice at the same time. I thought they were going to throw me to the ground and handcuff me. People who love it, really, really love it.”

The 46-year-old actor also revealed he tried to persuade Matt to come to a Spurs match with him while they were filming the new series in London, but the Friends star won’t show an interest in football.

Stephen and Matt in Episodes (BBC/Hat Trick)
Stephen and Matt in Episodes (BBC/Hat Trick)

Stephen said: “He’s not biting at all. First of all, he still doesn’t know they’re called Tottenham Hotspurs, he calls them Chutney Hooplahs. Secondly, he refuses to come to a game with me. I’ve asked him many times. He’s missing out, I’ve got seats eight rows from the pitch, it’s very exciting.”

Matt chipped in: “It doesn’t have a motor! I’ll take you to a Formula One race.”

Stephen said: “He’s a petrolhead. If I said I was having lunch with Jeremy Clarkson, now that would interest him.”

Episodes returns to BBC Two on Monday, May 11.