Steve Coogan lets slip who Alan Partridge is based on amid Richard Madeley myth

31 August 2023 , 08:50

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Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan responds to claims the iconic character is based on Richard Madeley

Steve Coogan has dispelled rumours that Alan Partridge is based on Richard Madeley, after previously claiming that his legendary alter-ego is partially inspired by the Good Morning Britain host.

Ever since the fictional British broadcaster made his TV debut over three decades ago, fans have been speculating over which real-life personalities he's mimicking. Steve, 57, created Alan as a character on his current affairs parody program, On the Hour, in 1991 and has continued to play him on various shows since. The tactless host, largely considered to be a spoof of many well known media personalities, has gone on to earn national treasure status with his hilarious bits – as well as a boatload of comparisons to TV presenters.

Many people have likened Alan to Richard Madeley, with some fans claiming his mannerisms and style of speaking echo the ITV presenter perfectly. Steve only fuelled this speculation last year, after telling BBC Breakfast hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt, "I suppose if you fused Richard Madeley with Piers Morgan, you might get close to who Partridge is at the moment."

Steve Coogan has squashed claims that Alan Partridge is based on Richard Madeley (Trevor Leighton)

Richard Madeley has said he's unfazed by the comparison (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

However, he has since clarified his position to confirm that he is "not based on Richard Madeley."

"That’s not true at all. He’s an amalgam of people," he told Metro. "Does he [Richard] say some things that are a bit like Alan Partridge? Yes. Do certain sports presenters say things a bit like Alan Partridge? Of course." Steve, who has won multiple awards of his hilarious Alan Patridge creation, went on to describe the 'buffoon' of a presenter as "kind of an extension of me."

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"If you had a Venn diagram, the Alan Partridge circle will overlap the Steve Coogan circle," he quipped. He also acknowledged that "every major television presenter these days" display traits of the hilarious caricature. "There’s even that website, Accidental Partridge. So loads of people are guilty of sounding like Alan Partridge. It’s a reciprocal thing; it’s symbiotic. People out there sound like Alan and Alan sounds like them."

TV presenter Richard commented on his association with Alan Partridge in a Daily Mail interview in 2021, squashing any rumours that he's offended by the comparison. "I honestly don’t care at all – it’s actually quite funny. It’s part and parcel of the job I do," he said. "It’s so important that you don’t take yourself seriously, because you’re not gonna have a good time if you do."

Richard did, however, seem to take issue with a trending quiz on Twitter, which had players guess if a quote had been said by Alan or the I'm a Celebrity star. "I think some of the quotes are often made up to be honest with you, or they’re taken so ludicrously out of context, but I look at it sometimes and I think, ‘Oh that’s a bit unfair,'" he said.

Emma Dooney