As Alan Partridge he became a household name, winning accolade upon accolade for his enduringly funny portrayal of the hopelessly inept TV and radio presenter.
But Steve Coogan says the character he originally brought to life for 1991 radio show On The Hour – a spoof current affairs series hosted by the fictional Partridge – eventually felt like an albatross around his neck.
Speaking to Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett for the seventh season of their Dish from Waitrose Podcast, Coogan, 59, said: ‘There was a time when I felt saddled with it. So, when I do Partridge, I do it through choice. Not because I have to.
‘I’m doing some stuff at the moment, and it does make me laugh, so… I make notes in my phone.
‘I think, I have a funny idea, I’m on the train and I’m chuckling to myself. I will laugh at myself as a Partridge comes into my head, and put it in my phone, on my own.
‘Or I’ll look in a shop window and think about, I might say, “oh, what would Alan say about that. I’m still doing it now thirty years later, so it’s like a condition now.’
As Alan Partridge he became a household name, winning accolade upon accolade for his enduringly funny portrayal of the hopelessly inept TV and radio presenter
But Steve Coogan says the character he originally brought to life for 1991 radio show On The Hour – a spoof current affairs series hosted by the fictional Partridge – eventually felt like an albatross around his neck
Coogan’s career defining character earned him no less than six awards – the most recent coming in 2017 at the TV BAFTAs, where Alan Partridge’s Scissored Isle secured Best Male Comedy Performance for the actor.
More accolades could follow with the release of another Partridge led series at a yet to be specified date, with Coogan having completed work on a new project that sees the hapless presenter ‘jumping on the mental health bandwagon.’
‘He knows that he can get back on TV if he talks about something important,’ said Coogan. ‘We’re editing it now, so…’
Despite his intimate connection to the character, Coogan says even he struggles to comprehend Partridge’s notorious lack of tact and completely oblivious approach to political correctness.
He said: ‘For me to try and describe it is so risqué some of the stuff, I can’t even describe, you have to just listen to it.
‘But there’s some stuff, you know there is some stuff that’s so wrong that it makes me laugh, because there’s some things he says that no one could say, and I certainly couldn’t say.
‘But because you, the audience know who he is and that he’s sort of ill-informed but is trying his best. He’s not an evil person. He’s just a fool. But sometimes the fool says things that people secretly agree with. So, that’s quite enjoyable that having that little bit of catharsis.
‘And also, you can satirise, sort of… I mean, if I want to sort of take the mick out of someone I don’t like, I just make Alan say that they’re his best friend.’
Speaking to Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett for the seventh season of their Dish from Waitrose Podcast, Coogan, 59, said: ‘There was a time when I felt saddled with it’
Steve pictured as Alan Partridge in series one of I’m Alan Partridge, which aired in 1997
Coogan also starred in Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning, which aired in October 2023 (pictured as Savile)
Coogan also starred in Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning, which aired in October 2023.
The Reckoning details Savile’s rise to fame and his campaign of abuse while at the height of his stardom, as well as how his crimes were revealed following his death.
The four-part BBC series was praised for its handling of paedophile Jimmy’s heinous acts.
But in the lead up to its premiere, the series came under fire from victims’ families who were upset that their experiences were being made into entertainment.
In October 2023, Coogan was slated to sign copies of his Alan Partridge autobiography while in character as the inept broadcaster.
However, it was reported that his team feared it could be jarring for him to appear as Alan so soon after he was seen as Savile in the series.
A source told The Sun: ‘Steve’s team were aware of the highly sensitive nature of the BBC drama and how it could jar with him getting into character as Alan for his book. No one wants to cause a stir.’
The appearance was moved to later in the month so as not to be so close to when The Reckoning aired.
A spokesperson for the actor told at the time: ‘Due to a demanding rehearsal schedule for his next film, the book signings will now begin later this month in line with Steve’s availability.’
More accolades could follow with the release of another Partridge led series at a yet to be specified date, with Coogan having completed work on a new project that sees the hapless presenter ‘jumping on the mental health bandwagon’