John Thomson's entertainer Joe Beasley to appear on This Time

Alan Partridge is to be reunited with ventriloquist Joe Beasley and his puppet Cheeky Monkey in the next episode of This Time.

The chat show host last encountered the duo in his 1994 chat show, Knowing Me, Knowing You, but the encounter ended badly.

Partridge had previously seen him on a Hoseasons holiday camp in Bournemouth in 1979, and was so impressed with his act that he promised to give him a big break if he ever got his own TV series.

But when he appeared on the BBC Two  show, the pressure got to him and Beasley bungled his jokes, and struggled to properly work his puppet.

Steve Coogan’s alter-ego was forced to intervene and the entertainer, as played by John Thomson, was sent offstage, with the words ‘your act is really poor’ ringing in his ears. 

But Partridge is delighted with the reunion on his new, exciting trilling: ‘End of the pier!’ at the monkey’s antics.

Here is the new trailer:

And the original appearance:

Published: 3 May 2021