Stephen Merchant keeps Elton waiting

Stephen Merchant has exacted revenge on Ricky Gervais' behalf by keeping Elton John waiting at the GQ Men of the Year Awards.

The Extras star sipped on a drink, finished his dessert and took a leisurely stroll around the auditorium when John invited him onstage to collect a gong.

When he took to the stage several minutes later, he quipped: "I thought I would keep Elton John waiting for a change as he did to my friend Ricky at the Diana concert."

Last month Gervais was taunted by jeers when he was asked to fill time for the pop superstar at the Concert for Diana.