Stephen James Merchant, born 24 November 1974, is a British writer, director, radio presenter, stand-up comedian, and actor. Stephen Merchant is best known for his collaborations with Ricky Gervais, as the co-writer and co-director of the popular British sitcom The Office, as the co-writer, co-director and a co-star of Extras, and as the co-host of The Ricky Gervais Show in its radio, podcast, audiobook and television-show forms. The Ricky Gervais Show in radio form has won a bronze Sony Award. Stephen Merchant is also due to be appearing in the new TV series Life's Too Short.Stephen Merchant began ...