Steve Coogan finally dispels a popular Alan Partridge myth

Fictional broadcaster Alan Partridge was not made in the image of Richard Madeley, it's been confirmed.

Steve Coogan - the man who's portrayed articulate fool Alan since 1991, across comedy radio programmes, TV shows, movies and podcasts - revealed as much while speaking to Metro after years of persistent speculation from fans.

"Does he say some things that are a bit like Alan Partridge? Yes. Do certain sports presenters say things a bit like Alan Partridge? Of course," the actor mused.

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"Almost every major television presenter these days says something a bit Alan Partridge. There's even that website, Accidental Partridge. So loads of people are guilty of sounding like Alan Partridge. It's a reciprocal thing; it's symbiotic. People out there sound like Alan and Alan sounds like them."

Madeley, who became a household name by presenting Richard & Judy with his wife Judy Finnigan for eight years up until 2009, has been the face of many live-TV blunders, especially since joining the team at Good Morning Britain.

For six of his most Partridge-esque moments, including the time Madeley mistook a studio guest for a video link interviewee, make sure to pay this page a visit.

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"I'm not quite sure which came first the chicken or the egg," continued Coogan.

"But, no, it's not based on Richard Madeley. That's not true at all. He's an amalgam of people. Certainly, he says stuff sometimes where I think, 'You can't really satirise that.' But a lot of people do."

These comments follow Madeley's recent tale of being accosted by an unimpressed viewer in Cornwall.

Appearing on the How to Be 60 podcast, the star recalled how this gentlemen "came right into my space, finger jabbing at my chest and he said, 'I just want you to know that everything you've ever done, everything you've ever said or ever will say, I loathe and f****** despise, you c***.

"And then beamed with pleasure!"

Watch: Steve Coogan calls Piers Morgan a 'modern day Alan Partridge'