Stephen Merchant has revealed that despite their successful collaboration, he and Ricky Gervais are leading separate lives now. The duo, known for co-writing popular comedies like The Office and Extras, eventually drifted apart as their careers took different paths. While they worked together on projects like The Ricky Gervais Show and An Idiot Abroad, Stephen mentioned that they don’t communicate much these days.
In an interview with The Times, Stephen explained that even when they were closer, they had distinct lifestyles. He humorously mentioned Ricky’s older age and how their interests diverged over time. Currently, Stephen spends most of his time in London, working on various projects, including writing scripts and developing new stand-up material encompassing genres like action, sci-fi, and romantic comedy.
Addressing rumors of a fallout between them, Stephen clarified in a 2022 interview that it’s common for people to assume conflicts when collaborators naturally drift apart. Despite some speculation triggered by a social media post related to Ricky’s show After Life, Stephen emphasized that he never intended any subtle jabs at his former partner.
Reflecting on their past successes, Stephen acknowledged feeling pressured to match the early triumph of The Office. He humorously compared his situation to musicians covering songs, highlighting that he didn’t closely follow Ricky’s subsequent works. Stephen credited their success to his focused approach on storytelling mechanics, while he viewed Ricky as having a more spontaneous comedic style.
Having achieved success in both television and film, Stephen expressed contentment with his level of fame. He quipped about the satisfaction of being recognized for his work rather than just his towering height.