The award winning comedy partnership and radio
co-presenters Ricky
Gervais
and Stephen Merchant are to leave the London radio station Xfm for
a few months. The decision came after their contracts came to an
end.
This isn't the first time the duo have taken an extended
leave of absence from the Capital-owned alternative music station. In 2003
they took several months off in order to film The
Office Christmas Specials
.
Although the loss of the presenters will be an unpleasant blow to the
station, a spokeswoman has confirmed that the pair are keen to return to Xfm
later in the year.
"They are having at least a few months off, because they are out of contract
and they have got commitments in the States," she said. "Ricky and Steve don't
like the Xfm show to become too routine. They will be coming back, but they will
probably be having quite a few months off."
Gervais commitments in America include
attending the Golden Globe TV awards ,
where he has been nominated for a 'best actor' award. He will also be guest-starring
in the spy drama 'Alias'.
