THE goggle-eyed award-winning co-creator of The Office and Extras is about to embark on his first-ever stand-up comedy tour Stephen Merchant Live: Hello Ladies.

Tickets are on sale now for Stephen’s show at the BIC Windsor Hall on November 25.

Globally known for his acclaimed collaborative work with partner Ricky Gervais, Merchant has at last decided to take his considerable stand-up talents on the road.

It’s not widely known he started his career as a stand-up comedian and radio presenter at XFM where he met Gervais.

Merchant’s latest show, An Idiot Abroad (Sky One), is a live-action travelogue series starring Karl Pilkington. Merchant also appears in this hugely successful series, which became the highest rated Sky One show since 2008. A second series has just been commissioned.

Merchant’s film credits include cameos in Hot Fuzz and Run Fat Boy Run alongside Simon Pegg. He directed his first feature film Cemetery Junction with Gervais, which was released in 2010 and he also appears in Hall Pass with Owen Wilson that is released this week’.

Stephen Merchant said: “Most people don't realise that I was a stand-up comedian before I met Ricky Gervais and his coat-tails. Life can be lonely as a TV writer so this tour is a great opportunity for me to get out there and meet my fans. And make at least one of them my wife.”