60ft Alan Partridge statue planned

Norwich could be getting a giant statue of Alan Partridge after a sculptor got carried away with a tongue-in-cheek survey.

Local artist Steve Price is now working on a scale model of the 60ft landmark after a poll said Coogan's chat show host was the comic icon most TV viewers would most like to see immortalised in stone.

But the idea ­ already dubbed The Alan Of The East - has infuriated some of the city's residents who already hate being associated with the blazer-wearing buffoon.

Furious Jim Mullen has set up an on-line petition against the statue, and is producing protest signs for shop windows.

He said: " I am making it my personal mission to quash these ridiculous plans.

"Alan Partridge is a TV show, a fictional character that does not merit a statue anywhere in the UK let alone Norwich. Haven't we already had enough Norwich-bashing as a result of the show without being made a laughing stock?

"We need to put a stop to this planned eyesore before Partridge fans jump on this bandwagon."

The idea emerged from a poll conducted by comedy TV channel UKTV G2.

Publicist Peter Mountstevens said: "When we get the votes back we thought, "why not take it a stage further?"

"So we have asked Steve to sculpt a scale model of Alan. We will then see if we can raise enough money. It will all depend on whether we can find a suitable site and planning permission."

Mr Price, who says he is a huge Alan Partridge fan, said: "This is just what Norfolk needs - a real tourist attraction celebrating one of the most enduring comedy icons of recent years."

But Norwich City Council's planning committee chairwoman Judith Lubbock said: "I think if a statue is proposed it has to have community endorsement and local relevance. This will never happen. "

Published: 7 Apr 2004