Editing Alan Partridge (section)

==History==
=== 1991: ''On The Hour'' ===
[[File:Armando Iannucci at Cheltenham Literary Festival 2010 (tighter crop).jpg|thumb|Co-creator [[Armando Iannucci]] in 2010]]Alan Partridge was created for the 1991 [[BBC Radio 4]] comedy programme ''[[On the Hour]]'', a [[Parody|spoof]] of British [[Current affairs (news format)|current affairs]] broadcasting, as the show's hapless [[Sports commentator|sports presenter]].<ref name="Husband-2013">{{Cite web |last=Husband |first=Stuart |date=5 August 2013 |title=Alan Partridge: the 'A-ha!' moments |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10208780/Alan-Partridge-the-A-ha-moments.html |access-date=14 September 2015 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref> Developing ''On the Hour'', the producer, [[Armando Iannucci]], asked [[Steve Coogan]] to voice a generic sports reporter, with elements of [[Elton Welsby]], [[Jim Rosenthal]] and [[John Motson]].<ref name="Wray-2020">{{Cite web|last=Wray|first=Daniel Dylan|date=9 October 2020|title=Aha! – The Oral History of Alan Partridge|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/oral-history-of-alan-partridge/|access-date=2020-10-09|website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|language=en}}</ref> Coogan had performed a similar character for a BBC [[campus radio|college radio]] station while at university.<ref name="Husband-2013" /> Iannucci said they developed a backstory for the character "within minutes".<ref name="Huddleston-2013">{{cite magazine |last=Huddleston |first=Tom |date=2013-08-01 |title=Armando Iannucci interview - Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa - Time Out Film |url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/armando-iannucci-interview-i-do-like-alan-i-want-him-to-succeed |access-date=2014-02-17 |magazine=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]}}</ref> The name was inspired by the former ''[[Newsbeat]]'' presenter Frank Partridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=''The Day Today'': the show that changed British comedy forever |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1ZDXDd7ZwhQWqjc6vqyf8kX/the-day-today-the-show-that-changed-british-comedy-forever |access-date=20 August 2021 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> Iannucci, [[Patrick Marber]], [[Richard Herring]] and [[Stewart Lee]] wrote much of the early Partridge material; Herring credits the creation to Coogan and Iannucci.<ref>{{cite web |last=Connelly |first=Brendon |date=4 January 2013 |title=Richard Herring on co-creating Alan Partridge, his Rasputin TV show and Dave's new comedy competition |url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/01/04/richard-herring/ |access-date=14 September 2015 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |publisher=}}</ref>
=== 1992–1995: ''Knowing Me, Knowing You'' and ''The Day Today'' ===
Marber felt Partridge had potential for other projects, and encouraged Coogan to develop his character.<ref name="Huddleston-2013"/> Coogan performed as Partridge and other characters at the 1992 [[Edinburgh Fringe]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Curtis |first=Nick |date=1992-08-18 |title=Edinburgh Festival Day 2 / Reviews: Steve Coogan in character with John Thomson |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/edinburgh-festival-day-2-reviews-steve-coogan-in-character-with-john-thomson-1541047.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005184355/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/edinburgh-festival-day-2-reviews-steve-coogan-in-character-with-john-thomson-1541047.html |archive-date=2015-10-05 |access-date=2019-05-14 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> In December 1992, [[BBC Radio 4]] began broadcasting a six-episode spoof chat show, ''[[Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge (radio series)|Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge]]''. The series saw Partridge irritate and offend his guests, and coined his catchphrase, "Aha!".<ref name="BBC">{{Cite web |title=BBC - Alan Partridge - Anglian Lives |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/partridge/life/anglian.shtml |access-date=14 September 2015 |website= |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

In 1994, ''On the Hour'' transferred to television on [[BBC Two]] as ''[[The Day Today]]'', in which Partridge reprised his role as sports reporter.<ref name="Husband-2013"/> Later that year, ''[[Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge (TV series)|Knowing Me, Knowing You]]'' transferred to television.<ref name="Thompson-1994">{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Ben |date=4 September 1994 |title=Comedy / Knowing him, knowing us, ah-haah: Alan Partridge, smarmy master of the crass interview, is bringing his chat show to television. Ben Thompson meets the gauche celeb's comic creator, Steve Coogan |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy--knowing-him-knowing-us-ahhaah-alan-partridge-smarmy-master-of-the-crass-interview-is-bringing-his-chat-show-to-television-ben-thompson-meets-the-gauche-celebs-comic-creator-steve-coogan-1446647.html |access-date=14 September 2015 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> The series ends with Partridge accidentally shooting a guest.<ref name="BBC"/> It was nominated for the 1995 [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] for Light Entertainment Performance.<ref name="BAFTA">{{Cite web |title=BAFTA Awards Search {{!}} BAFTA Awards |url=http://awards.bafta.org/keyword-search?keywords=Steve%2520Coogan |access-date=2015-11-11 |website=[[BAFTA]]}}</ref> A Christmas special, ''Knowing Me, Knowing Yule'', followed in December 1995, in which Partridge attacks a BBC commissioning editor, ending his television career.<ref name="Rees-1995">{{Cite web |last=Rees |first=Jasper |date=30 December 1995 |title=Reviews: Television ''Knowing Me Knowing Yule... with Alan Partridge'' (BBC2) |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/reviews-television-knowing-me-knowing-yule-with-alan-partridge-bbc2-its-not-easy-being-incompetent--alan-partridge-is-to-chatshow-interviewing-what-rudolf-nureyev-was-to-spot-welding-but-maybe-its-time-to-get-real-1527757.html |access-date=14 September 2015 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>

=== 1997–2002: ''I'm Alan Partridge'' ===
In 1997, BBC Two broadcast a [[sitcom]], ''[[I'm Alan Partridge]]'', written by Coogan, Iannucci and [[Peter Baynham]]. It follows Partridge after he has been left by his wife and dropped from the BBC. He lives in a roadside hotel outside [[Norwich]], presents a [[graveyard slot]] on local radio, and desperately pitches ideas for new television shows. Iannucci said the writers aimed to create "a kind of social X-ray of male middle-aged [[Middle England]]".<ref name="Husband-2013"/> ''I'm Alan Partridge'' won the 1998 BAFTA awards for Comedy Performance and Comedy Programme or Series.<ref name="BAFTA"/>

In 1999, Partridge appeared on the BBC [[telethon]] ''[[Comic Relief]]'', performing a medley of [[Kate Bush]] songs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alan Partridge's 10 Most Alan Partridge-y Moments Ever |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/alan-partridges-10-most-alan-partridge-y-moments-ever |access-date=2015-12-03 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> BBC Two broadcast a second series of ''I'm Alan Partridge'' in 2002,<ref name="Husband-2013"/> following Partridge's life in a [[Mobile home|static caravan]] with his new Ukrainian girlfriend after recovering from a [[mental breakdown]].<ref name="Keeling-2013">{{Cite web |last=Keeling |first=Robert |date=7 August 2013 |title=Alan Partridge's top TV moments |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/alan-partridge/26772/alan-partridges-top-tv-moments |access-date=14 September 2015 |website=[[Den of Geek]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref name="Heritage-2014">{{Cite web |last=Heritage |first=Stuart |date=4 April 2014 |title=Alan Partridge: a guide for Americans, newcomers and American newcomers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/apr/04/alan-partridge-a-guide-for-americans-newcomers-and-american-newcomers |access-date=14 September 2015 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The writers found the second series difficult to make, feeling it had been too long since the first and that expectations for sitcoms had changed.<ref name="Wray-2020"/>

=== 2003–2009: Hiatus and smaller roles ===
After ''I'm Alan Partridge'', Coogan tired of Partridge and limited him to smaller roles, feeling he had become an "[[Albatross (metaphor)|albatross]]".<ref name="Wray-2020" /><ref name="Nicholson-2020"/> In March 2003, the BBC broadcast a [[mockumentary]], ''Anglian Lives: Alan Partridge'', about Partridge's life and career.<ref name="BBC"/> Coogan performed as Partridge at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in support of the [[Teenage Cancer Trust]] in 2004.<ref name="NME-2016">{{Cite web |date=2016-09-20 |title=Teenage Cancer Trust gigs through the years, starring Oasis, the Who, Coldplay and more |url=https://www.nme.com/photos/teenage-cancer-trust-gigs-through-the-years-starring-oasis-the-who-coldplay-and-more-1404007 |access-date=2020-12-02 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2008, he performed a tour, Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge and other Less Successful Characters, featuring Partridge as a [[Coaching|life coach]].<ref name="Reviews roundup">{{Cite web |last=Masterton |first=Simon |date=6 October 2008 |title=Reviews roundup: Steve Coogan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2008/oct/06/steve.coogan.alan.partridge |access-date=19 December 2015 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

Coogan returned to Partridge after pursuing other projects, such as his work with the director [[Michael Winterbottom]] on films such as ''[[24 Hour Party People]]'' (2002)''.''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hoad |first=Phil |date=2023-02-06 |title='I did my climactic speech – then took half an E': Steve Coogan on making 24 Hour Party People |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/feb/06/how-we-made-24-hour-party-people-steve-coogan-michael-winterbottom |access-date=2023-02-06 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He said he did not want to say goodbye to Partridge, and that "as long as I can do my other things, that, to me, is the perfect balance".<ref name="Wray-2020"/> In 2020, Coogan said that though he had once tired of Partridge, he had now become "a battered, comfortable old leather jacket".<ref name="Nicholson-2020">{{Cite web|last=Nicholson|first=Tom|date=2020-09-05|title=Steve Coogan: How we made Alan Partridge's 'Monkey Tennis' scene|url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a33922072/steve-coogan-how-we-made-alan-partridges-monkey-tennis-scene/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-02|website=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913083028/https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a33922072/steve-coogan-how-we-made-alan-partridges-monkey-tennis-scene/ |archive-date=13 September 2020 }}</ref>

=== 2010: ''Mid Morning Matters'' ===
Partridge returned in 2010 in a series of [[YouTube]] shorts, ''[[Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge]]'', as the host of a digital radio show with a new character, Sidekick Simon ([[Tim Key]]).<ref name="Aroesti-2014">{{Cite news |last=Aroesti |first=Rachel |date=2014-03-15 |title=Tim Key: from living-room poetry jams to comedy ubiquity |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/mar/15/tim-key-sidekick-simon-single-white-slut |access-date=2016-02-18 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The series was later broadcast by [[Sky Atlantic]].<ref name="Husband-2013" /> Coogan wrote it with the brothers [[Gibbons brothers|Neil and Rob Gibbons]], who submitted scripts to his company [[Baby Cow Productions]]. The Gibbons brothers have co-written every Partridge project since. According to Neil, Coogan "invited us in, our sensibilities chimed ... I think we were like two pairs of fresh eyes, and Steve seemed to fall in love with the character all over again."<ref name="Husband-2013"/>

Coogan said they chose the web format because "it was a bit underground, a low-key environment in which to test the character out again. And the response was so good, we realised there was more fuel in the tank."<ref name="Husband-2013" /> In his 2015 autobiography, Coogan wrote that he felt ''Mid Morning Matters'' was "the purest, most mature and funniest incarnation of Partridge", which he credited to the Gibbons brothers.<ref name="Coogan-2015">{{Cite book |last=Coogan |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Coogan |title=Easily Distracted |publisher=[[Penguin Random House|Century]] |year=2015 |isbn=978-1780891712 |language=English}}</ref>

=== 2011–2012: ''I, Partridge'' and TV specials ===
[[File:Steve Coogan 2013.jpg|thumb|Steve Coogan in 2013]]

In 2011, a spoof autobiography, ''[[I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan]]'', written by Coogan, Iannucci and the Gibbons brothers, was published by [[HarperCollins]]. Coogan also recorded an [[audiobook]] version as Partridge. In the book, Partridge recounts his childhood and career, attempts to settle scores with people he feels have wronged him, and dispenses wisdom such as his assertion that [[Wikipedia]] has made university education "all but pointless".<ref name="Gordon-2011">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/nov/23/i-partridge-alan-partridge-review|title=I, Partridge by Alan Partridge - review|last=Gordon|first=Edmund|date=23 November 2011|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=18 December 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Coogan appeared as Partridge to promote ''I, Partridge'' on ''[[The Jonathan Ross Show]]''<ref name="Millar-2011">{{cite web|title = Steve Coogan appears as Alan Partridge on 'Jonathan Ross' - video|url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a343386/steve-coogan-appears-as-alan-partridge-on-jonathan-ross-video.html#~pg4J6qhizjDgvk|access-date = 14 September 2015|date = 2 October 2011|last = Millar|first = Paul|website = Digital Spy}}</ref> and [[BBC Radio 5 Live]].<ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news|title = Alan Partridge on how he killed a restaurant critic - BBC News| work=BBC News |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-15204877|access-date = 2015-12-03|language = en-GB}}</ref> It received positive reviews and became a bestseller.<ref name="Husband-2013" /><ref>{{cite news |date=16 April 2015 |title=Alan Partridge 'writes' second autobiography |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32334299 |access-date=14 September 2015 |work= |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

On 25 June 2012, Partridge presented a one-hour Sky Atlantic special, ''[[Alan Partridge: Welcome to the Places of My Life]]'', taking the viewer on a tour of Partridge's home county, [[Norfolk]].<ref name="Seale-2012">{{cite magazine|title = Meet the men who made Alan Partridge funnier than ever|url = http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-06-25/meet-the-men-who-made-alan-partridge-funnier-than-ever|access-date = 14 September 2015|date = 25 June 2012|magazine = Radio Times|last = Seale|first = Jack}}</ref> The programme earned Coogan the 2013 BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme.<ref name="BAFTA" /> It was followed the next week by ''Open Books with Martin Bryce'', a mock literary programme discussing Partridge's autobiography.<ref name="Seale-2012" />

=== 2013: ''Alpha Papa'' ===
On 7 August 2013, a feature film, ''[[Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa]]'', was released in the UK. It was directed by [[Declan Lowney]]<ref name="de Semlyen-2012">{{cite magazine|url = https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=33802|title = Armando Iannucci on Alan Partridge Movie|access-date = 14 September 2015|magazine = Empire|date = 30 April 2012|last = de Semlyen|first = Phil}}</ref> and co-produced by [[StudioCanal]] and Baby Cow Productions, with support from [[BBC Films]] and the [[British Film Institute|BFI Film Fund]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Nick |date=2012-06-26 |title=''The Alan Partridge Movie'' receives August 2013 release date |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/the-alan-partridge-movie-receives-august-2013-rel-868044 |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> The film sees Partridge enlisted as a [[Crisis negotiation|crisis negotiator]] during a siege at his radio station.<ref name="Seale-2012" />

Filming began with an incomplete script, and Coogan and the Gibbons brothers rewrote much of it on the set. The rushed production was difficult; Coogan and Iannucci disagreed on the script, morale was low, and there were problems with casting and funding. In his memoir, Coogan wrote that it was the hardest he had ever worked and the loneliest he had ever felt; however, he was proud of the finished film.<ref name="Coogan-2015" /> ''Alpha Papa'' was acclaimed and opened at number one at the box office in the UK and Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 August 2013 |title=BBC News - Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa tops the UK box office |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23672740 |access-date=14 September 2015 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Patrick |first=Seb |date=13 August 2013 |title='Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa' is the 'Top Daddy' of the UK Box Office &#124; Anglophenia |url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2013/08/alan-partridge-alpha-papa-is-the-top-daddy-of-the-uk-box-office/ |access-date=14 September 2014 |publisher=[[BBC America]]}}</ref>

=== 2015–2019: ''Scissored Isle'' and ''This Time'' ===
In 2015, Coogan co-presented a special Christmas episode of the [[Channel 4]] chat show ''[[TFI Friday]]'' as Partridge.<ref name="Standard.co.uk">{{Cite web |title=Alan Partridge to host TFI Friday Christmas special with Chris Evans |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/tfi-friday-alan-partridge-set-to-cohost-christmas-special-with-chris-evans-a3127101.html |website=[[Standard.co.uk]] |access-date=1 December 2015 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In February 2016, Sky Atlantic broadcast a second series of ''Mid Morning Matters''.<ref name="Gibbings-Jones-2016">{{Cite news|title = Tuesday's best TV: It's Not Rocket Science; Back in Time for the Weekend; Happy Valley; Alan Partridge's Mid Morning Matters|url = https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/feb/16/tuesdays-best-tv-its-not-rocket-science-happy-valley-alan-partridges-mid-morning-matters |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=16 February 2016 |access-date=18 February 2016 |issn=0261-3077 |language=en-GB |first1 = Mark |last1=Gibbings-Jones |first2=Ali |last2=Catterall |first3 = Phil|last3 = Harrison|first4 = Jonathan|last4 = Wright|first5 = Andrew|last5 = Mueller|first6 = Ben|last6 = Arnold|first7 = Graeme|last7 = Virtue|first8 = Paul|last8 = Howlett}}</ref> ''Alan Partridge's Scissored Isle'', a mockumentary in which Partridge examines the British [[Class stratification|class divide]], followed in May also starring [[Ben Rufus Green]].<ref name="Delgado-2016">{{Cite web |last=Delgado |first=Kasia |date=5 May 2016 |title=Alan Partridge's Scissored Isle is the broadcaster's very funny journey of (sort of) redemption |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-05-05/alan-partridges-scissored-isle-is-the-broadcasters-very-funny-journey-of-sort-of-redemption |access-date=19 May 2016 |website=[[Radio Times]]}}</ref> A second book, ''Alan Partridge: Nomad'', a [[Travel literature|travelogue]] in which Partridge recounts a journey across the UK, was published on 20 October.<ref name="nomad">{{Cite web |last=Denham |first=Jess |date=20 July 2016 |title=Watch Alan Partridge announce new book Nomad and mercilessly diss Game of Thrones |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/exclusive-watch-alan-partridge-mercilessly-diss-game-of-thrones-before-announcing-new-book-nomad-a7146646.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722160136/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/exclusive-watch-alan-partridge-mercilessly-diss-game-of-thrones-before-announcing-new-book-nomad-a7146646.html |archive-date=2016-07-22 |access-date=24 July 2016 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In July 2017, Partridge appeared in an episode of the [[BBC Radio 4]] programme ''Inheritance Tracks'', in which guests choose music to pass to future generations; he selected "[[Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)]]" by [[Barry Mann]] and the theme from [[Grandstand (TV series)|''Grandstand'']].<ref name="Monohan-2017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/02/16/best-alan-partridge-moments/|title=Top Alan Partridge moments|last=Monohan|first=Marc|date=11 July 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=11 July 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> Iannucci guest-edited an October 2017 issue of ''[[The Big Issue]]'', featuring a debate on [[Brexit]] between Partridge and [[Malcolm Tucker]], a character from ''[[The Thick of It]]'', another sitcom created by Iannucci.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bigissue.com/culture/alan-partridge-vs-malcolm-tucker-how-our-iannucci-exclusive-broke-internet/|title=Alan Partridge vs Malcolm Tucker: The Great Big Brexit Grudge Match |date=23 October 2017 |work=[[The Big Issue]] |access-date=4 November 2017 |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 27 December, BBC Two broadcast a documentary about the history of Partridge, ''Alan Partridge: Why, When, Where, How and Whom?''<ref name="Saner-2017"/>

Partridge returned to the BBC in February 2019 with a six-part series, ''[[This Time with Alan Partridge]]'', a spoof [[Current affairs (news format)|current affairs]] programme in the style of ''[[The One Show]]''.<ref name="Abbott-2019">{{Cite news |last=Abbott |first=Kate |date=2019-02-14 |title=Part David Cameron, part Piers Morgan – Alan Partridge returns in time for Brexit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/feb/14/alan-partridge-bbc-brexit-steve-coogan |access-date=2019-02-15 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In the series, Partridge stands in after the regular host falls ill.<ref name="Abbott-2019" /> Coogan felt it was the right time for Partridge to return as he might represent the views of Brexit voters.<ref name="Abbott-2019" /> Neil Gibbons said the world of live television had changed since Partridge's creation: "If someone fluffed a line or got someone's name wrong or said something stupid, it was mortifying. But nowadays, those are the sort of people who are given jobs on TV."<ref name="Abbott-2019" /> A second series was broadcast in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Craig|first=David|date=22 December 2020|title=This Time with Alan Partridge to return with season 2 in 2021|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/comedy/2020-12-22/this-time-with-alan-partridge-season-2-2021/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=[[Radio Times]]|language=en}}</ref> 

In August 2019, after he was caught speeding, Coogan escaped a driving ban after arguing that a planned Alan Partridge series could not be filmed on public transport, as driving is part of Partridge's character. The [[Magistrates' court (England and Wales)|magistrates]] determined that it would cause “exceptional hardship" on the production staff if the series were cancelled.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waterson |first1=Jim |date=13 August 2019 |title=Alan Partridge saves Steve Coogan from lengthy driving ban |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/aug/13/alan-partridge-saves-steve-coogan-from-lengthy-driving-ban |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

=== 2020–present: ''From the Oasthouse'' and ''Strategem'' ===
[[File:Alan Partridge - Stratagem Brighton 2022.jpg|thumb|Coogan performing as Alan Partridge in Brighton in May 2022]]In September 2020, [[Audible (store)|Audible]] launched an Alan Partridge podcast, ''From the Oasthouse''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=2020-09-03|title=Exclusive: Steve Coogan discusses the 'absence' of cast on Alan Partridge podcast|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a33904842/steve-coogan-alan-partridge-podcast-twist-explained/|access-date=2020-09-04|website=[[Digital Spy]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> It has Partridge discussing topics such as relationships, family and the [[Culture war|culture wars]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richardson |first=Hollie |last2=Frizzell |first2=Nell |last3=Bharadia |first3=Priya |date=2023-08-24 |title=Best podcasts of the week: Alan Partridge solves the culture wars, grandparenting and more |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/aug/24/hear-here-alan-partridge-oasthouse |access-date=2023-09-03 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Coogan said the podcast format was liberating, with more opportunity for nuance and less need to create punchlines to unite the audience.<ref name="Nicholson-2020"/> The podcast was carefully scripted rather than improvised.<ref name="Nicholson-2020" /> Further series were released in September 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Steve |date=30 May 2022 |title=Alan Partridge goes back to the oasthouse |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2022/05/30/50880/alan_partridge_goes_back_to_the_oasthouse |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=[[Chortle]] |language=en}}</ref> and October 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=2023-04-26 |title=Audible orders new podcasts from Daisy May Cooper, Lolly Adefope, Mo Gilligan & Dara Ó Briain; Re-Ups Jack Whitehall, Kurupt FM, Alan Partridge, French & Saunders series |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/daisy-may-cooper-jack-whitehall-new-podcasts-audible-mo-gilligan-dara-o-briain-1235337813/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=[[Deadline (website)|Deadline]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2022, Coogan began a UK Alan Partridge tour, ''Stratagem'', in which Partridge gave a motivational talk and addressed topics such as [[identity politics]] and [[culture war]]s.<ref name="Christie-2022">{{Cite web |last=Christie |first=Janet |date=7 May 2022 |title=Steve Coogan brings Alan Partridge to Scotland with a Stratagem for living our lives |url=https://www.scotsman.com/must-read/steve-coogan-brings-alan-partridge-to-scotland-with-a-stratagem-for-living-our-lives-3677111 |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=[[The Scotsman]] |language=en}}</ref> The ''Guardian'' critic Brian Logan gave the show four out of five, praising its "rich comedy of physical awkwardness" and writing that Partridge was now "at the centre of his own thriving multi-platform metaverse". He noted that though Coogan had once tired of Partridge, he now "clearly takes pleasure in the performance".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Logan |first=Brian |date=2022-04-27 |title=Alan Partridge: Stratagem review – two hours of tremendous silliness |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/apr/27/alan-partridge-stratagem-review-steve-coogan-edinburgh-playhouse |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> The ''[[The Independent|Independent]]'' critic Louis Chilton gave it two out of five, finding its jokes obvious and dated and that Partridge did not work in a live format.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chilton |first=Louis |date=2022-06-01 |title=Alan Partridge: Stratagem is excruciatingly bad at times – review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/reviews/alan-partridge-review-stratagem-o2-arena-b2091801.html |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> 

In August 2022, Partridge joined the rock band [[Coldplay]] to perform the 1985 [[Kate Bush]] song "[[Running Up That Hill]]" at [[Wembley Stadium]], London.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skinner |first=Tom |date=2022-08-22 |title=Coldplay cover 'Running Up That Hill' with Alan Partridge in London |url=https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/news/coldplay-cover-running-up-that-hill-kate-bush-with-alan-partridge-in-london-watch-footage-21676/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=[[Rolling Stone UK]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> A third Partridge memoir, ''Big Beacon'', covering his return to television and his experience restoring a lighthouse, was published on 12 October 2023. ''[[The Times]]'' gave it a positive review, praising its "skilfully terrible writing".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rudd |first=Matt |date=2023-10-18 |title=Big Beacon by Alan Partridge review — cancelled over the c-word |language=en |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/big-beacon-a-lighthouse-rebuilt-a-broadcaster-reborn-by-alan-partridge-review-2kw6x89xq |access-date=2023-10-18 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> In January 2025, Coogan confirmed that filming was complete for a new BBC television series, ''[[Alan Partridge: How Are You?|How Are You?]]'', which has Partridge exploring mental health issues following a year in Saudi Arabia.<ref name="How Are You">{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=David |date=28 January 2025 |title=Steve Coogan confirms filming has wrapped on new Alan Partridge series – tackling 'serious' subject |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/steve-coogan-alan-partridge-2025-series-wrapped-newsupdate/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> A fourth series of ''From the Oasthouse'' is due in June.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |last2=Goldbart |first2=Max |date=2025-05-12 |title=''From the Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast'' returning for Season 4 |url=https://deadline.com/2025/05/from-the-oasthouse-alan-partridge-podcast-audible-season-4-1236391444/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=[[Deadline (website)|Deadline]] |language=en-US}}</ref>