Coogan reveals reason for Partridge’s return
Steve Coogan has said he may not have returned to play Alan Partridge if he had not made the film Philomena.
Coogan reprised the character, who debuted on the BBC more than 20 years ago, in 2010 with a series of online videos, before appearing in a Sky programme and feature film Alpha Papa in 2013.
The inept presenter will next be seen in a new BBC series, This Time with Alan Partridge, but the more recent revival of the popular character may not have happened were it not for 2013 drama film Philomena, which Coogan co-produced, co-wrote and starred in.
Coogan told the Edinburgh TV Festival of the decision to bring Partridge back: “Alan went through a strange gestation – there are a lot of things to say about Alan.
“Funnily enough, I wouldn’t have been enthusiastic about Alan had I not had my Philomena moment. It was like I was doing it because I wanted to, not because I had to. And I do want to, because I think it’s funny as well.”