Norwich's most famous broadcaster has been making audiences squirm and laugh in equal measure since 1991. Created by Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci, Alan Partridge has moved from radio spoof to chat show host, sitcom star, film lead, author and podcaster, and remains one of Britain's best-loved comedy characters.
His latest BBC One series, How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge), aired in autumn 2025, and in 2026 Steve Coogan won the BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance for the role. Here is the story so far. Discover more in our comedians collection.
Alan Partridge Fact File
| Character | Alan Partridge |
|---|---|
| Played by | Steve Coogan (born 14 October 1965, Middleton, Lancashire; age 61) |
| Created by | Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci |
| First appearance | On the Hour, BBC Radio 4 (1991) |
| Hometown | Norwich, Norfolk |
| Occupation | Broadcaster and presenter |
| Years active | 1991-present |
| Key writers | Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, Peter Baynham, Neil and Rob Gibbons |
| Long-suffering assistant | Lynn Benfield (Felicity Montagu) |
| Formats | Radio, TV, film, books, podcast, live tour |
Career History
| Year | Title | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | On the Hour | Radio 4 news spoof |
| 1992 / 1994 | Knowing Me, Knowing You | Radio, then BBC Two chat show |
| 1997 and 2002 | I'm Alan Partridge | BBC Two sitcom |
| 2010 | Mid Morning Matters | Web series, later on Sky |
| 2013 | Alpha Papa | Feature film |
| 2019 and 2021 | This Time with Alan Partridge | BBC One series |
| 2020 | From the Oasthouse | Audible podcast |
| 2025 | How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) | BBC One series |
The table lists Alan's main outings. He has also starred in the books I, Partridge (2011), Nomad (2016) and Big Beacon (2023), and the live tour Stratagem (2022).
Early Years on Radio
Alan first appeared in 1991 as the hapless sports reporter on On the Hour, Armando Iannucci's Radio 4 news spoof. He followed his colleagues to television in The Day Today in 1994, the same year his radio chat show Knowing Me, Knowing You made the jump to BBC Two.
The chat show captured his awkward charm perfectly, with Alan's desperate attempts to impress his guests rarely going to plan.
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I'm Alan Partridge and the Breakthrough
In 1997 I'm Alan Partridge found him at a low ebb, living in a roadside hotel and presenting the early shift on local radio in Norwich. The sitcom won two BAFTAs, including Best Comedy Performance for Coogan, and a second series followed in 2002. Many fans rank it among the greatest British sitcoms.
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Mid Morning Matters to the Big Screen
Working with writers Neil and Rob Gibbons, Coogan relaunched the character in 2010 with Mid Morning Matters. The feature film Alpha Papa followed in 2013, and Alan returned to national television on BBC One in This Time with Alan Partridge in 2019.
Later Career
Recent years have brought the From the Oasthouse podcast, the Stratagem live tour and, in October 2025, How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge), co-starring Felicity Montagu, Tim Key and Katherine Kelly. It earned Coogan a BAFTA in 2026.
Awards
BAFTA TV Awards
- I'm Alan Partridge (1998): Comedy Performance and Comedy Programme or Series
- Welcome to the Places of My Life (2013): Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme
- How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) (2026): Best Male Comedy Performance
Nominations
- How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge): BAFTA nomination for Best Scripted Comedy
Behind the Scenes
Steve Coogan co-founded the production company Baby Cow Productions in 1999 and has enjoyed a successful career beyond Alan, including an Oscar nomination for co-writing the screenplay for Philomena.
FAQs
Who plays Alan Partridge?
Alan Partridge is played by Steve Coogan, who created the character with Armando Iannucci.
How old is Steve Coogan?
Steve Coogan was born on 14 October 1965 in Middleton, Lancashire, which makes him 61.
Where does Alan Partridge live?
Alan is from Norwich in Norfolk, and the city features heavily in his shows and the film Alpha Papa.
When did Alan Partridge first appear?
He first appeared on BBC Radio 4's On the Hour in 1991.
How many series of I'm Alan Partridge are there?
There are two series, broadcast in 1997 and 2002.
What is the latest Alan Partridge show?
The latest is How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge), which aired on BBC One in October and November 2025.
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: The Royle Family and Only Fools and Horses.
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