Celebrity Gogglebox star Stephen Merchant's life - from whopping net worth to celeb girlfriend

Stephen Merchant has become a household name over the years through numerous TV shows, and he's now set to grace fans' screens as he appears in Celebrity Gogglebox

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Stephen Merchant, famed for his comedic genius and impressive stature, has become a familiar face both on and off the screen. Boasting an estimated net worth of £26.6 million, he's now considered the UK's wealthiest comedian, outshining legends like Peter Kay and Ricky Gervais. Fans are now buzzing with excitement as he's set to appear on Celebrity Gogglebox with Josh Widdicombe for a special Stand Up To Cancer episode.

On his participation in the show, Stephen, who's also made a guest appearance in The Big Bang Theory, shared: "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."

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But what's the secret behind his incredible success? Stephen's path to stardom began with the iconic sitcom The Office, which he co-created with his mate Ricky Gervais. Launched in July 2001, the series propelled him to fame, followed by another hit, Extras, four years on.

Stephen has also starred in shows like The Outlaws, where he portrayed the melancholic divorcee lawyer Greg, and Life's Too Short. However, the majority of Stephen's income stems from his numerous TV production businesses, with his main company, SJJM LTD, boasting over £25 million in assets, which increased by £3million between 2021 and 2022.

Despite his profitable ventures, Stephen remains down-to-earth, remembering his modest beginnings and dismissing ideas of lavish spending. In a frank chat with The Telegraph in 2010, he shared: "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 continued: "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."

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While fame and wealth often go hand in hand, Stephen has expressed a desire to return to anonymity, reflecting on the freedom of creative expression without any expectations. He commented: "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."

Stephen's love life reached new heights when he found love with Mircea Monroe after meeting her at an awards event in 2017. The towering star, standing tall at 6 feet 7 inches, has often shared a laugh about the perils his height presents in romance, telling Alan Carr in jest, "If they're down there and I'm up here, it's a bit tricky."

But it seems that with Mircea, Stephen no longer worries about those logistical quirks of dating. He's settled into a blissful harmony, appreciating the grounded feeling that comes with turning 40 and having a significant other.

He expressed his contentment by revealing: "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."

At the age of 49, Stephen has become a familiar face thanks to his roles in popular shows and movies like Episodes, Scrubs, Hart of Dixie, The 41 Year Old Virgin, Just Friends and Magic Mike. He and Mircea share a luxurious £2.4 million mansion, a property that was once a home to the renowned ex-talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.