Extras. Darren Lamb (Stephen Merchant). Copyright: BBC
Stephen Merchant

Stephen Merchant

  • 49 years old
  • English
  • Actor, writer, director, executive producer and stand-up comedian

Press clippings

Stephen Merchant: 'I want to do Taskmaster'

Stephen Merchant has revealed that he'd "happily" do Taskmaster - and it's purely a case of finding time in his busy schedule to make it work.

British Comedy Guide, 7th March 2024

Love was British comedy's punchline. Tim and Dawn's Office kiss changed that

Twenty years ago, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant made one of the best Christmas specials in TV history. And its will-they-won't-they romance heralded a new era for British sitcoms - in which love wasn't played for laughs.

Tom Nicholson, i Newspaper, 22nd December 2023

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant on The Office Christmas special: 'We wanted heartbreak'

How did the masters of cringe comedy give us a festive kiss to melt the heart? The 'cynics' behind Dawn and Tim - and David Brent - tell all.

Tom Fordy, The Telegraph, 8th December 2023

Stephen Merchant and Martin Freeman break down The Office Christmas special, 20 years later

The kiss! The scotch egg! The 'Chris, why don't you fuck off'! The Office's finale is unquestionably the best Christmas special in sitcom history, and has come second in our critic's poll of the best British TV episodes of the century. So we sat down for a rewatch with the people that made it.

Sam Parker, GQ, 5th December 2023

Stephen Merchant is Britain's top-earning comedian

He started out in the shadow of Ricky Gervais, playing the bit part of lanky oddball Nathan Oggy in their hit comedy The Office, but now Stephen Merchant is officially outperforming his former writing partner.

Simon Boyle, The Sun, 20th September 2023

The Outlaws returning to BBC One for Series 3

The Outlaws is returning for a third series on BBC One, the corporation has confirmed. Creator Stephen Merchant says "we found there was so much meat still on the bone and still so much to do with the characters".

British Comedy Guide, 31st March 2023

BAFTA TV Awards 2023 nominations

Am I Being Unreasonable?, Big Boys, Derry Girls and Ghosts are amongst the nominees for the BAFTA Television Awards 2023.

British Comedy Guide, 22nd March 2023

National Comedy Awards 2023 shortlists revealed

The shortlists for Channel 4's National Comedy Awards 2023 have been revealed. Ghosts, Don't Hug Me I'm Scared, Derry Girls and After Life are up for Best Scripted Comedy.

British Comedy Guide, 23rd January 2023

Michael Palin joined by Rob Brydon and Stephen Merchant for major Slapstick Festival event

Sir Michael Palin will be joined on the Bristol Old Vic stage by Rob Brydon and Stephen Merchant when he takes part in the final two events of the seven happening at the King Street venue on the last of 2023's six-day Slapstick Festival of silent and classic screen comedy.

Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 20th October 2022

Stephen Merchant rakes in £4.3m in just a year

Comedian Stephen Merchant is laughing all the way to the bank - making £4.3million last year.

Shan Ally, The Sun, 27th September 2022