This summer will see the return of one of British broadcasting’s most beloved and admired figures, the man known to potentially billions of people thanks to the World Wide Web as Alan Partridge. Following the success of his Mid-Morning Matters show on the North Norfolk Digital station, and the release of his highly-regarded autobiography, movie producers have finally seen the potential of Partridge and given him the big screen debut that fans have been calling for for years.
Having begun his stellar career on hospital radio, Alan moved swiftly on to the heady heights of BBC radio, where his unambiguous talent was discovered and nurtured, leading to his now legendary chat-show. A series of unfortunate incidents led to his downfall however, and he spent several months in the entertainment wilderness before mounting his successful counter-attack, first with a well-regarded show called Skirmish on cable channel UK Conquest, and then his triumphant return to local Norfolk radio.
Partridge’s erudite delivery, easy charm and piercing interview techniques have earned him a loyal fanbase the world over. His connections to the county of Norfolk, where he was born and raised and continues to live, are well-known. If you’d like to get to know the real Alan, the man behind the fame, here are some must-visit spots:
Thetford Forest – A haven of peaceful tranquillity just outside the bustling metropolis of market town Thetford, this is where Alan returns time after time to calm his mind after a show. The pine trees and heath are ideal background scenery for collecting one’s thoughts, and there are numerous sticks lying on the ground should one wish to use one as a walking stick in Alan’s time-hounoured fashion. There are several well-regarded owl sanctuaries in the area also.
The Champs-Élysée – In Paris, one of the most famous streets in the world, lined with boutiques, restaurants and pricey real-estate. Always popular with tourists and the fashion-conscious, it’s no surprise that it was on the Champs-Élysée that Alan first chose to reveal his new “sports-casual” collection, a hit with viewers and French style-gurus alike.
Linton – This small village in Cambridgeshire gained a famous resident in 1997, when Alan, temporarily homeless following his divorce and betrayal by the BBC, lived in the nearby travel tavern for several months. He was a constant presence in the area, whether visiting the local petrol station for wiper fluid, propping up the bar with clients or judging the entrants to the funniest vegetable competition at the annual village fair.
Monaco – Not, of course, the natural habitat of the modest Alan Partridge, but the summer home of his personal hero, Roger Moore, 007 himself. It’s not inconceivable that now his career is back on the tracks Alan will be looking for big-name guest stars for the movie, and his reputation alone could be persuasive enough to bring Moore out of retirement for a cameo.
Dundee – It was to the city of Dundee, in the lowlands of Scotland, that Alan fled at his lowest point when, stung by a second dismissal from the BBC and beset by mental health issues that had led to a chronic addiction to Toblerones.
Ukraine – Having moved out of the Linton Travel Tavern, Alan began building his new home. At this resurgent point in his life, literally “bouncing back”, he snared a stunning new girlfriend, Sonja, whom he had brought over from her home in the Ukraine for a better life as the partner of one of Britain’s most beloved entertainers.
The Norfolk Broads – It was while filming a video for a boating company on the Norfolk Broads that Alan was attacked with a cow thrown from a bridge. The incident scarred him both mentally and physically but don’t let that stop you recreating his classic voyage through a company such as Le Boat which cater for discerning travellers of the Norfolk countryside.
About Today's Guest Writer:
Rob is a huge fan of Alan Partridge and can't wait for the movie to be released in the summer
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