Partridge country

Our favourite broadcaster is back in his beloved Norfolk

- WORDS: SEAN MARLAND, ALISON SLADE

NEW COMEDY

How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge)

Friday, 9.30pm, BBC1 (box set, BBC iPlayer)

After four years away, veteran TV personality Alan Partridge bounces back this week when Steve Coogan's irascible comedy character returns to our screens.

Having left the BBC under a cloud, Alan has spent the past 12 months living in Saudi Arabia. Now back in his beloved Norfolk, he has loyal personal assistant Lynn (Felicity Montagu) by his side and new girlfriend Katrina (Katherine Kelly) on his arm, as he examines the nation's mental health for a six-part documentary series.

In this week's opening episode, the broadcaster volunteers at a soup kitchen, conducts a vox pop on the streets of Norwich and heads to his old radio station, North Norfolk Digital, to clear the air with former colleague 'Sidekick Simon' (Tim Key). But will he find the answers he's looking for?

Here, Coogan, 59, tells us more...

It's great to see Alan back. Would you like to meet him in real life?