Stephen Merchant to announce shock retirement from comedy?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • London
  • Last updated on

‘The Office (UK)’ creator created a stir on Saturday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.

Sad news for Merchant fans. Speculation had been rife that the creator of The Office (UK) will announce his retirement from comedy, at age 51, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 01/02/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a comedian isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a comedian-actor-author-director just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouStephen

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouStephen was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouStephen.”
— @DesireePlum, 31 Jan 2026
“Merchant wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 31 Jan 2026

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