How Ricky Gervais' friend got his own back on Sir Elton - very, very slowly

 

By TAHIRA YAQOOB - More by this author » Last updated at 13:45pm on 6th September 2007 Comments (5)

It takes a brave man to cross Sir Elton John. After all, he's almost as famous for his tantrums as his songs.

 

 

But at 6ft 7in, perhaps comedian and actor Stephen Merchant felt he was big enough to take the mickey out of him.

 

For when Sir Elton, who was hosting an awards ceremony, called the 32-year-old Extras star to the stage to receive an honour, Merchant certainly took his time.

 

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He kept the singer waiting for several excruciating minutes while he finished his dessert, knocked back a drink and took a stroll around the auditorium before finally going up on stage to accept his award.

 

And as he collected his prize for being comedian of the year, he shocked the celebrity-packed audience when he said: "I thought I would keep Elton John waiting for a change as he did to my friend Ricky at the Diana concert."

 

 

 

 

Merchant's antics seem to have been vengeance for the ridicule heaped on his close friend and Extras co- star Ricky Gervais after the Concert for Diana in July.

 

 

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Targets: Elton John (left) 'ridiculed' Ricky Gervais

 

Gervais was lined up to introduce Sir Elton at the memorial concert but had to improvise for 15 minutes until the singer - apparently delayed because of technical difficulties - finally appeared on stage for a finale.

 

As Gervais resorted to reenacting scenes from his comedy series The Office, he drew comparisons with his blundering character David Brent and was described in reviews as "dying on his feet".

Merchant's behaviour at the GQ Men of the Year awards at the Royal Opera House on Tuesday night was greeted with a mixture of boos and cheers by the audience.

 

 

On stage, he said: "I was only joking of course, I feel very privileged to be in such esteemed company as Elton John, Michael Caine and Jimmy Nesbitt."

 

 

Later the TV star, who was accompanied by his film producer girlfriend Claire Jones, told friends: "If you can't take the p*** out of Elton John, who can you take it out of?

 

"Don't get me wrong, I think he is fantastic but he is not the f****** Queen. No one else in there would do it."

 

If it was meant in jest, it certainly did not appear to be taken as such.

 

Revenge is a dish: Stephen Merchant

 

 

Sir Elton looked grim-faced after the acceptance speech and moved on swiftly with the next award.

 

Yesterday the singer's spokesman played down the incident, describing it as "tongue-in-cheek."

He said: "Elton and Stephen are mates. They are good friends going way back."

Elsewhere, it was better news for Elton who seemed to have finally called a truce on his high profile feud with Madonna.

The row erupted more than two years ago after he publically accused the pop-singing superstar of lip-synching in an expletive laden outburst.

 

 

Introducing Madonna at this year's GQ Men of the Year Awards, Sir Elton said: "This is a moment you thought you would never see."

 

The pair hugged on stage, but the acerbic star couldn't resist a final swipe, adding he had "written a grovelling apology and offered to join the Kabbalah".

 

At an awards ceremony in 2004, John infamously criticised the singer after she won an award for live performance, saying: "Madonna, best f***ing live act? F*** off! Since when has lip-synching been live?"

 

"That's me off her f***ing Christmas card list but do I give a toss? No."

 

Madonna hit back through a statement issued by her spokesperson, who declared: "Madonna does not lip-synch nor does she spend her time trashing other artists."

 

The singer, who is still awaiting permission to permanently adopt her third child, left the awards show looking rather worse for wear as she piled into a cab.

 

 

GQ AWARDS ROUNDUP

Highlights of the star-studded evening included Sir Michael Caine receiving the lifetime achievement award.

The 74-year-old star of films such as Alfie and The Italian Job was presented with the honour by Jude Law, who did nothing to hide his admiration.

Announcing the accolade, he said: "This is not only the man of the year or the man of many years, this is THE man."

 

Collecting the award to a standing ovation, Sir Michael thanked his wife and daughters. He added that his family was the only reason for being here.

 

 

Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton was sportsman of the year and Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was named TV personality of the year, almost 12 months after the high-speed crash which nearly killed him.

The chef of the year was Gordon Ramsay, band of the year were the Kaiser Chiefs and David Cameron was named politician of the year.

 

 

Jonathan Ive, designer of the iPod, was honoured, as was BHS boss Philip Green, who was entrepreneur of the year.

Oh lord,they love to play games...