Steven Merchant to star in new BBC1 Christmas comedy – ‘My dad can fall asleep halfway through!’

Christmas treat in store for Stephen Merchant fans

Stephen Merchant has joked that his father can start watching his new BBC1 Christmas comedy – and then fall asleep halfway through!

The Office and Extras star is teaming up with Asim Chaudhry for a festive comedy, Click & Collect.

The 60-minute comedy film will see them play two mismatched neighbours who drive across the country to pick up the one toy that will make a little girl’s Christmas dreams come true.

Opening on Christmas Eve, Andrew (Stephen Merchant) has somehow failed to buy his six-year-old the one present she really wants – Sparklehoof the Unicorn Princess.

[Christmas 2018 Highlights]

It seems to have sold out in London, but luckily his annoying neighbour Dev (Asim Chaudhry) has managed to track down the last one in the country. The only problem it’s 300 miles away in Carlisle and they need a Christmas miracle to get it in time.

Stephen says: “Every year, my family watch the big Christmas TV specials and my dad falls asleep half way through. This year, I’m very excited to be starring in a big Christmas TV special that my dad can fall asleep half way through.”

Asim adds: “I've been a huge fan of Stephen's work for many years so it's a dream to be working with him! I'm also over the moon about the fact that my ten year old sister can finally watch something I'm in that's family friendly and wholesome, lol.'”

Shane Allen, Controller, BBC Comedy Commissioning, says: "Stephen and Asim are absolutely knockout together in a script bursting with comic incident, hilarity and heart. It's a family comedy treat for your Christmas stocking."

Filming on Click & Collect will start this month. It will be shown on BBC1 this Christmas.

Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry pictures: PA Archive/PA Images

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