Comedian Stephen Merchant and his actress girlfriend Mircea Monroe made a charming appearance at a surprise party for comedy legend John Cleese this week. The event, held at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental hotel in London, celebrated Cleese's remarkable 60-year career in show business.
A Night of Celebration
The Office co-creator Stephen Merchant, 50, looked delighted as he posed alongside his partner of seven years, Mircea Monroe, 43. The height difference between the couple was particularly noticeable, with Stephen standing at an impressive six foot seven inches while Mircea measures five foot six.
Stephen kept his style casual yet sophisticated in a dapper brown suit paired with a simple black T-shirt and trainers. Mircea turned heads in a stunning sequin jacket worn over a floor-length dress, accessorising with a shoulder bag and fun meerkat cut-out mask.
Star-Studded Guest List
The surprise party was thrown by John Cleese's fourth wife, Jennifer, 53, and attracted numerous A-list celebrities from the entertainment world. Among the guests were Hugh Grant, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, and actress Alison Steadman, all gathering to honour the Monty Python star's incredible achievements.
John, now 86, appeared in high spirits as he posed for photographs with Stephen and Mircea. The comedy icon dressed smartly in a navy trouser suit complemented by a polo shirt and grey scarf.
From Single Life to Lasting Love
Stephen and Mircea first met at an awards ceremony seven years ago, and their relationship has been going strong ever since. The couple currently reside in a £2.4million mansion previously owned by American talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.
Stephen has previously spoken openly about the challenges of dating due to his exceptional height, telling Alan Carr: 'If they're down there and I'm up here, it's a bit tricky.' However, by 2019 he expressed how meeting the St Louis native had transformed his life, saying: 'Aside from the fact that she's great… there's something very pleasing about not having the endless concern about filling that part of your life.'
The comedian's professional success has mirrored his personal happiness, with his fortune now estimated at a staggering £26.6million according to The Sun. This places him ahead of comedy peers Ricky Gervais and Peter Kay, boosted by his recent role in the BBC comedy drama The Outlaws.
The celebratory party coincided with the release of John Cleese's new documentary, 'John Cleese Packs It In', which follows the comedian's daily life. Cleese's legendary career includes co-writing and starring in the classic 1970s sitcom Fawlty Towers, for which he won a BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance in 1980.
