Steve Coogan has said he was “flabbergasted” by the 11ft statue of Alan Partridge which appeared in Norwich city centre yesterday (24 September).
The comedian – who debuted the iconic local radio DJ character in 1991 – appeared on BBC Breakfast today (25 September) to praise Nick Dutton and Gavin Fulcher, the superfans who were behind the artistic project.
Coogan told hosts Naga Munchetty and Jon Kay that he was initially “flabbergasted” to learn of the statue’s existence.
“I heard rumours about it but it surpassed my expectations, it is quite magnificent,” said the comedian.
He continued: “I think it’s superb. I hope it gets a permanent place in Norfolk, a county which I’m very fond of and got to know through Alan Partridge. I think the Norfolk tourist board should embrace it and make it work for them.”
The statue, which appeared on Thursday is due to remain in place until Sunday (27 September).
Coogan joked: “It’s cast in brass I think, which is fantastic and I hope it encourages people to put down their video screens and pick up a brass instrument instead, I think that would be a very good thing.”
The 54-year-old recently announced that he would be reprising the beloved role for an 18-part series titled From the Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast. On BBC Breakfast, Coogan said he would “try to find a way of working the statue in” on the new series.
