Celebrity Gogglebox star Stephen Merchant's huge net worth and famous girlfriend
Stephen Merchant, known for his comedic brilliance and towering height, has become a household name both on and off screen. With a reported net worth of £26.6 million, he's cemented his status as the UK's richest comedian, surpassing industry heavyweights like Peter Kay and Ricky Gervais. He's now set to grace our screens on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside Josh Widdicombe in a special episode for Stand Up To Cancer.
Speaking on joining the show, Stephen, who has also guest starred in The Big Bang Theory said: "I don’t usually allow talking when the TV is on, because I know how much hard work goes into making shows, so I try to give them my full attention. But I’m happy to break my own rule for Stand Up to Cancer and join the Gogglebox special this year with my pal Josh Widdicombe. The charity does fantastic work, raising money for life-saving research, and it's a privilege to be involved."
But how did he achieve such remarkable success, and what's the story behind his personal life? Stephen's rise to fame began with the groundbreaking sitcom The Office, which he co-wrote with his friend Ricky Gervais. The show, released in July 2001, catapulted him into the spotlight, followed by the equally acclaimed series Extras four years later.
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He has also appeared in shows like The Outlaws, where he played sad divorcee lawyer Greg, and Life's Too Short, however Stephen's income comes mainly from his numerous TV production businesses, with his main company, SJJM LTD, worth over £25 million in assets, accelerating by £3million between 2021 and 2022.
Despite his lucrative ventures, Stephen remains grounded, recalling humble beginnings and rejecting notions of extravagant spending. In a candid interview with The Telegraph in 2010, he said: “I remember going to a party once at someone's house and they had a pool. I thought, ''These people must be Richard Branson!'"
He added: “There is this weird idea that you get a bit of money or success and suddenly your life is endlessly being carried around in a sedan chair just throwing caviar away. It isn't.” While fame and fortune often go hand in hand, Stephen has expressed a longing to return to anonymity, reminiscing about the freedom of creative expression unburdened by expectations.
He said: “The unique thing about The Office was that no one knew who we were, so there were no expectations. You're not thinking about the papers or about the audience. You're just thinking, 'This is fun, let's get it made'. It's hard to get back to that moment.”
His relationship with actress Mircea Monroe, whom he met at an awards ceremony in 2017 and has been with since 2018, offers solace from the pressures of celebrity life. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches, Stephen once joked about the challenges of dating due to his towering stature. He once told Alan Carr: “If they're down there and I'm up here, it's a bit tricky.”
However, with Mircea by his side, he's found companionship and contentment, relishing in the simple joys of partnership. He said: "Aside from the fact that she's great, hitting 40, there's something very pleasing about not having the endless concern about filling that part of your life. The life of a single person is a very lonely life. There's a lot of nights where you're watching DVDs on your own."
The 49 year old is best known for roles in Episodes, Scrubs, Hart of Dixie, The 41 Year Old Virgin, Just Friends and Magic Mike. The couple live together in a £2.4million mansion once owned by former US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
