A statue of David Brent has been unveiled at a Premier Inn in Slough, celebrating 25 years since The Office UK first aired. This clay figure immortalizes Ricky Gervais' most notorious character.
The sculpture, commissioned by Premier Inn, is prominently displayed at the Slough Trading Estate hotel. This location is significant as it occupies the site of Crossbow House, the original exterior used for Wernham Hogg, Brent’s fictional office, in the show's opening credits.
Tim Oliver, a Brent impersonator, unveiled the statue, mimicking the character's iconic pose and signature dance moves that catapulted Gervais to international fame.
Crafted by Gareth Knowles, the bust took 120 hours to complete and weighs seven kilograms. It will remain a permanent fixture at the hotel.
A representative for the hotel chain expressed excitement over this tribute, emphasizing its importance in British comedy history.
“Ricky’s iconic character truly put Slough on the map,” the spokesperson stated. “It’s only fitting to honor him with this memorable statue, which we hope will be particularly popular with some of the millions of business travelers who stay with us each year.”
Despite the building's transformation, the spokesperson noted that observant fans would recognize the site's historical significance.
Crossbow House was demolished in 2013 and later redeveloped into a Premier Inn.
The series chronicled David Brent's journey from a regional manager in a paper company to a traveling salesman.
Premier Inn also conducted research involving 2,000 adults, revealing that Brent's unforgettable Comic Relief dance was voted the top moment from The Office, garnering 26% of the votes. This was followed by Dawn's return to kiss Tim during the Christmas special, which received 15%.
Nearly 75% of viewers consider the show a nostalgic reflection of early 2000s work life. However, 68% stated they would not want to work in an environment like Wernham Hogg.
The spokesperson added, “From tech to business attire, office life has changed drastically in the 25 years since the show aired but what hasn’t changed is the need for business travelers to know what they’re getting with a great night’s sleep in a comfortable room ready to face the day – no matter how embarrassing their boss is.”