We already know that Alan Partridge is a staunch Brexiteer – even if he doesn’t exactly share Michael Gove’s vocal support for British farmers.
But how would he have voted in the calamitous snap election that came after it? Would he have stuck with his beloved Tories? Or climb into the ale-drenched arms of his Nigel Farage?
Speaking at a Press Association event to celebrate his upcoming BBC series This Time With Alan Partridge, Steve Coogan opened up about his creation’s political leanings.
“I think if he had a pint with Nigel Farage they’d get on like a house on fire,” he told the crowd.
But ultimately, the comedian doesn’t think that Alan would have been swayed by the former UKIP leader.
“I think he would have struggled long and hard and I think he would probably have opted (to vote) for the Conservatives.”
That might be something to do with his advancing age. Coogan thinks that Partridge will have softened his beliefs over time.
“The world’s changed and he’s changed too because people do try and evolve and lots of people who perhaps were less tolerant grow to be more tolerant.”
So does that mean the celebrated radio host could even opt for Jeremy Corbyn come election time?
“Alan feels like on balance they’re [Tories] the best choice, he doesn’t hate the Labour party. He’s suspicious of people who are left wing.”
It’s long been said that Coogan and his creation share a lot in common, and the 52-year-old revealed that he notes down little Partridgisms in his daily life that provide inspiration for the character.
“What I do is I just make notes in my phone all the time, so I might see something or just his voice pops into my head and I just immediately write it down. So I’ve got a bank of stuff in my phone which is just Alan.
“If you’re in a situation where someone does something slightly inappropriate, or makes a faux pas, or there’s a moment of discomfort or tension in a social situation that is a bit painful to be part of, I sort of weirdly get excited because I think ‘oh that was great, I must write that down’. Small, inconvenient irritations are all like petrol in the tank of Alan.”
