The new series will follow Alan as he reintegrates into life in Britain after a year working in Saudi Arabia.
And Did Those Feet… with Alan Partridge will follow the beloved and, to be fair, revered broadcaster as he reintegrates into life in Britain after a year working in Saudi Arabia.
But what begins as a documentary about homecoming soon morphs into something more personal as Alan realises that the happiness he thought he’d feel at being back in Norwich just hasn’t materialised. Something’s missing.
The new series will follow Alan as he sets off on a quest to understand his funk and to share what he learns with the nation. And if he ends up being seen as a mental health champion for the middle-aged, who’s also a good fit to present other issues-led documentary strands, so be it.
Over six episodes, Alan explores exactly half a dozen of the areas that play a part in keeping us funk-free, from home lives, to work life, to the importance of nature, to relationships, to pastimes, to a sixth topic he’s not worked out yet because he’s a proper journalist, not just a sausage machine knocking out content.
It’s a journey through the mental health of himself and the country he loves (the UK including Northern Ireland) to ask: are we mentally unwell, mentally challenged, sad, cross, disturbed or just plain fed up?
Speaking about today's announcement, Alan Partridge said "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoys extensive oil and natural gas reserves, but has also seen economic growth in other areas such as agricultural production, retail trade, construction, and transport. It directs some $69 billion to military expenditure each year. And yet despite all that, I somehow felt incomplete."
To which the BBC's Director of Comedy Commissioning, Jon Petrie added "Alan Partridge is the most iconic comedy character in the UK. The wonderful Steve Coogan and Neil & Rob Gibbons continue to innovate and create an even richer world for Alan to inhabit. This unflinching look at the state of the UK through Alan’s eyes promises to add more brilliance to the Partridge canon."
Written by Steve Coogan, Neil Gibbons and Rob Gibbons, And Did Those Feet… with Alan Partridge will be directed by Neil Gibbons and Rob Gibbons, produced by Joe Fraser and executive produced by Steve Coogan, Neil Gibbons, Rob Gibbons, Rupert Majendie and Sarah Monteith.
Speaking ahead of the new series, Baby Cow's CEO, Sarah Monteith said "We’re delighted Alan’s back from Saudi Arabia with his appetite for broadcasting undiminished. ADTFWAP promises to be exactly the sort of uncompromising, state-of-the-nation piece that the country needs, almost as much as he does."
And Did Those Feet… with Alan Partridge will air on BBC One