Jody Parrish Chose Not to Commit Suicide After Watching Ricky Gervais on 'The Office'

An English father of two decided not to commit suicide after watching the UK version of “The Office” on DVD and spending the next five hours in stitches.

Jody Parrish, 32, who had already sent a goodbye text to his ex-girlfriend, decided to sit down and watch "The Office" before doing the deed.

"The Office" ran for two seasons in England, between 2001 and 2003. The show is the brainchild of comedians Steven Merchant and Ricky Gervais, the latter of whom starred as blundering boss David Brent at Wernham Hogg paper merchants. Americans will recognize the character as Steve Carrell’s Michael Scott at the Dunder Mifflin paper company.

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“David Brent saved my life,” Parrish said. “I’d not seen it in years, but I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much. I realized I had lots to live for.”

A former plasterer, Parrish was devastated when his six-year relationship ended. He was living with his mother in Liversedge, West York, when he watched his sister’s DVD copy of “The Office.” He watched episodes for five hours.

Parrish says he is now on medication for depression. “I am determined to get help,” he said.

The Sun quoted Gervais as saying, “I’m so pleased for him.”

David Brent would probably have said something like, “You’re welcome.”

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Just last month, Gervais celebrated the return of his David Brent character. He posted a 10-minute video to YouTube called “The Office Revisited” so that fans could catch up with Brent, who they hadn't seen in a decade. The video was part of this year’s Comic Relief benefit.

Gervais and Merchant’s show has been adapted all over the world, including Israel, Chile, and China.

Sources: Inquistr, The Sun

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