On set with Steve Coogan

Back in February, while all right-thinking people were warmly tucked up indoors, I spent eight hours on the shivering Cromer Pier set of Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.

There were extras dressed as armed police eating frozen Curly Wurlies and megastar comedians embracing hot water bottles. It was weird. But it only got weirder when I had to interview Steve Coogan under the glare of two DVD documentary cameras and a growing mass of fans all wondering why North Norfolk’s premier broadcaster was being badgered by a bloke in a green bobble hat.

Thankfully, the sight of people scrabbling to touch the hem of Alan’s sports casual garment has been recorded here for the ages.

Pick up this week's issue of ShortList which features Alan Partridge as our new Culture Editor.