Ricky Gervais to an "upright lizard being given electroshock treatment". Gervais also described him as a "stick insect with glasses" and Beaker from The Muppet Show. Karl Pilkington described Merchant's dancing as a "bit of weird art" but has since "got used to him", while Russell Brand likened him to a "graceful grasshopper". He has said that he prefers to liken himself to footballer Peter Crouch, who is the same height, and once impersonated Crouch in a BBC sketch broadcast as part of the pre-match build-up to England's opening game at the 2006 World Cup. Before the 2010 UK general election, Merchant was one of 48 celebrities who signed a letter opposing the Conservative Party's policy on the BBC. In December 2019, Merchant was the guest for an episode of BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. His book choice was Roger's Profanisaurus by Roger Mellie from Viz, his luxury item was a piano, and his chosen record was "Thunder Road" by Bruce Springsteen. Filmography Film Television Video games Awards References External links Interviewed on BBC Radio Five Live Xfm: Biography Tall man, taller success story – interview in The Telegraph – 8 August 2005 Interview with Barbara Ellen in The Observer Magazine – 5 November 2006 An Englishman abroad Stephen Merchant interview Stephen Merchant interviewed by Sophie Elmhirst on New Statesman. 1974 births Living people 20th-century English comedians 20th-century English male actors 21st-century English comedians 21st-century English male actors Alumni of the University of Warwick Audiobook narrators BAFTA winners (people) British male comedy actors British male television writers Emmy Award winners English comedy writers English expatriates in the United States English male television actors English male video game actors English male voice actors English podcasters English radio DJs English stand-up comedians English television directors English television producers English television writers Male actors from Bristol Showrunners Writers Guild of America Award winners Spike Video Game Award winners