Coogan will revive Partridge

Steve Coogan is planning to revive Alan Partridge, despite previous reports of his demise.

BBC2 controller Jane Root has previously said the second series of I'm Alan Partridge, broadcast last autumn, was the character's last outing.

But Coogan yesteday said he would revive the hapless TV presenter, if only for one-off specials.

"I won't do another series but I don't rule out doing a special. I've not buried him completely because I enjoyed doing him," Coogan told MediaGuardian.

Coogan was speaking at the launch of BBC Three's new schedule.

He is currently working on a series for the channel in which TV personalities including Ronni Ancona and Alistair McGowan recite Shakespearean soliloquies.

Coogan said: "They're people you wouldn't normally associate with Shakespeare. I think it's a good, fresh way of bringing it to life."

Published: 21 Aug 2003