Steve Coogan's new BBC series How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) has received a warm reception from critics, who are pleased to welcome the iconic character back onto our screens.
The six-part mockumentary series, which debuted on BBC One tonight (3 October), follows the tactless broadcaster (played by Coogan) as he explores issues surrounding anxiety, stress and loneliness.
The show sees Partridge drawing on his own experiences after suffering an on-screen wobble, which inspires him to develop what he calls "Britain's first ever documentary about mental health".
How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) also sees the return of Partridge's long-suffering assistant Lynn Benfield (Felicity Montagu), his overbearing girlfriend Katrina (Katherine Kelly) and his former colleague Simon Denton (Tim Key).
Describing the show as "the best Partridge-related project in years", The Independent noted: "Whatever the opposite of imposter syndrome is, Alan Partridge has a terminal case."
Related: Best streaming services in 2025
What to Read Next
"Does this qualify as a mental health problem? When it leads him to believe he can attempt a stand-up comedy set – as, excruciatingly, it does in this series – the answer is probably yes," the publication continued.
"Nothing else on TV has this many laugh-out-loud moments," opined The Guardian in its four-star review. "The fictional broadcaster remains the funniest comic creation in Britain, as he returns with this hilariously sloppy look at mental health."
"More than once the series pulls off flashes of pathos, where Alan's lack of self-awareness reveals a sadness that almost has us crying tears of emotion, before the persona snaps back in and we're crying from laughter again instead," it wrote.
Related: A family’s dark history resurfaces in this inspector-led crime drama streaming right now
The Irish Times also lauded the series, writing: "Rather than something high-concept or preachy, this is Partridge unfiltered and as turbocharged as a vintage Jaguar purring through the unpedestrianised sections of Norwich city centre. It's aha-mazing to have him back."
Meanwhile, The Financial Times also awarded the show four stars in its review, declaring: "The result is as moronically hilarious as the premise, and the spoof documentary format is a clever way of keeping Alan relevant."
How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge) airs on BBC One and is available to stream in full on BBC iPlayer.
The new edition of Living Legends is here! Buy Gaga in newsagents or online, priced at just £8.99.
Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a "telly addict" since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information.
