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Coogan brings Partridge back to Norwich
Tuesday 21 October 2008
Coogan took to the stage at Norwich's Theatre Royal in front of a sell-out audience. It was his first performance in the city since provoking outrage in Norfolk over his portrayal of the county.
In 2002, civic leaders accused Coogan's character of portraying it as "a backwater populated by yokels" on his BBC show, I'm Alan Partridge.
Coogan's creation, who held the "third best presenter's slot" at the fictional Radio Norwich, was also blamed for costing Norwich a place on the short-list of British towns vying to become the next European City of Culture.
Last night, introducing his Alan Partridge act, Coogan said: "It's great to be back. What a fantastic county, a great city."
He then listed himself as one of Norfolk's best-known characters, alongside Bernard Matthews, Delia Smith and Trisha Goddard.
The comic is on a 40-date tour, entitled Steve Coogan is Alan Partridge and Other Less Successful Characters. Coogan was heckled during the opening night of his first tour in 10 years, at the Liverpool Echo Arena.
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