Alan Partridge is a Trojan horse for taboo subjects, says Coogan

Alan Partridge has become a Trojan horse to talk about taboo subjects that make people feel anxious, Steve Coogan has said.

- Tara Conlan

The hapless TV presenter is returning to the BBC in How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) - a new series featuring his return to the UK after doing promotional work in Saudi Arabia and attempting to rebuild his career via a documentary about mental health.

It has been four years since Partridge last appeared on the BBC.

Coogan said he and his co-writers brought the character back when there was something to say about British culture and society.

The actor said Partridge was a "good conduit" to discuss popular culture and difficult topics, or to say things that were "perhaps taboo or would be difficult to talk about" as a private person.