This fresher is the spitting image of Stephen Merchant

It can be difficult enough being stuck in your own skin sometimes. So just imagine how tough it is for Jonny, the first year Chemistry student who not only looks like himself – he’s a clone of Bristol-born funnyman Stephan Merchant.

Taylor Swift once said: “Hey Stephen, I know looks can be deceiving” and she wasn’t wrong. Looking like the star of The Office and Extras has been more of a curse than a blessing for Jonny.

“As I was growing up I wanted to be as independent as everyone else. It didn’t happen: all people wanted was a Stephen Merchant impersonator in their lives.

“It was a struggle to be my own person and not just fulfil their expectations based on my resemblance to Stephen.”

For many years Jonny lived in fear of going out in public, worrying people would point and shout: “Where’s Ricky?” It’s not surprising then that he resented his look-a-like status for most of his teenage years.

It’s the glasses isn’t it?

Now though, he is beginning to come to terms with his lanky predicament.

“There’s more between resentment and acceptance than just a blank space. Enlightenment came at an early hour in the morning when I was devouring a cereal box. I realised looks are everything and I think I’m actually better looking than Stephen Merchant…right?”

Along with acceptance of his own looks, Jonny is full of praise for his twin.

“He’s a talented, funny man and seems like a stand-up guy (strong pun) but I’m scared that if I ever met him the universe might explode just like how time travellers can’t meet themselves.”

Uncanny

So, if you see a guy in Lounge or Bunker throwing shapes like this – yeah, that’s not Stephen Merchant, it’s probably Jonny.

Stephen if you’re out there reading this, know that Jonny is holding the fort in Bristol in your absence. Unfortunately, you probably shouldn’t come back while he’s at uni, just in case you damage the structural integrity of the universe.

Better to be safe than sorry eh?