TV actor and comedian Stephen Merchant has been officially inducted into the Bristol Walk of Fame.
The writer, director, comedian and actor was voted onto the Walk of Fame following a public vote and has now visited Bristol Zoo Gardens with his family to accept his plaque and spend a day at the attraction.
Merchant is one of 60 'icons' from across the historic, creative, sporting and wildlife spectrum which are celebrated on the walk.
Each of the stars is featured on a specially designed Bristol Blue Glass plaque placed around the zoo's 12-acre site.
Born in Bristol in 1974, Merchant attended Hanham High School before studying at the University of Warwick.
He is perhaps best-known as the co-writer and co-director of the comedy series The Office and has won three BAFTAs, four British Comedy Awards and two Golden Globes.
He said he was honoured to have been voted onto the Walk: "To have been voted for by the public in my home town is fantastic.
"I'm honoured to be commemorated on the Walk of Fame alongside some of the people I model myself on, such as John Cleese, Cary Grant and Wallace & Gromit.
He added: "I'm here with my mum and dad. Ever since I was a kid I've begged my parents to take me to the zoo and today they finally did.
"All I had to do was write a sitcom, appear in some films, do a stand-up comedy tour, then win the votes of hundreds of people so the zoo gave me a plaque. Now can I see a gibbon?"
His acceptance of the plaque was delayed by a mix-up last year. Mr Merchant was shocked when his mum Jane rang him last year to ask why he turned down the honour, after reading about it in the Post. The apparent snub was the result of an administrative error.
Director of Bristol Zoo Dr Bryan Carroll said: "We are delighted to be able to welcome Stephen Merchant and his family to Bristol Zoo."
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