Steve Coogan Reprises Alan Partridge at Hampton Court Garden Festival Sound Bath with Hawkins and Turner

Steve Coogan reprised his iconic Alan Partridge alter-ego as he celebrated the opening of his very own sound bath at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival on Monday.

A far cry from the straight-laced tone of the inept broadcaster, Alan was on hand to present the opening of his own space, struggling to keep cool in the hot weather. 

The garden reflected the inept presenter’s ‘meticulous approach to design, aesthetics, and materials’ and is described as being ‘a tribute to structure, to durability, and to personal resonance.’ 

The RHS invited visitors ‘to experience a space that is both purposeful and forward-looking.’ 

It’s no surprise that the garden comes with a unique comedic twist, and the character’s observations about his creation are channelled through sound waves. 

Designers Joe and Laura said: ‘We have had a test-run of the garden during the pre-build stage, and the moment we heard Alan’s voice come through the sculptural speakers – everything made sense, in a very funny, very Alan sort of way.’ 

Steve Coogan reprised his iconic Alan Partridge alter-ego as he celebrated the opening of his very own sound bath at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival on Monday 

The garden reflects the inept presenter’s ‘meticulous approach to design, aesthetics, and materials’ and is described as being ‘a tribute to structure, to durability, and to personal resonance’

Also in attendance at the garden festival on Monday were presenters Anthea Turner, 65, and Charlotte Hawkins, 50

Anthea stunned in a patterned pink dress, keeping herself cool in the UK’s ongoing heatwave with a straw hat

Charlotte similarly wore a bright orange dress, adding a touch of glamour to the look with gold jewellery

Alan appeared to be up to his usual antics as he was photographed speaking into a seemingly non-existent mic and fanning himself with headphones on. 

The designers admitted: ‘We developed the idea that Alan would want to showcase his broadcasting mastery… ‘ 

Also in attendance at the garden festival on Monday were presenters Anthea Turner, 65, and Charlotte Hawkins, 50. 

They were a vision in bright floral colours as they took in some of the many displays at the show, which is running from July 1 to 6. 

The pair were all smiles as they posed with flowers from the exhibits, with this year’s show featuring a new Gardens of Curiosity category – designed to be interactive and thought-provoking for visitors. 

Anthea stunned in a patterned pink dress, keeping herself cool in the UK’s ongoing heatwave with a straw hat. 

Charlotte similarly wore a bright orange dress, adding a touch of glamour to the look with gold jewellery. 

Steve’s appearance at the Alan Partridge Sound Garden comes after he recently admitted that the character became an albatross around his neck over time. 

Steve’s appearance at the Alan Partridge Sound Garden comes after he recently admitted that the character became an albatross around his neck over time and he now prefers to reprise the famous role out of desire and not necessity 

Speaking to Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett for the seventh season of their Dish from Waitrose Podcast, he said: ‘There was a time when I felt saddled with it. 

‘So, when I do Partridge, I do it through choice. Not because I have to.’

‘I’m doing some stuff at the moment, and it does make me laugh, so… I make notes in my phone.

‘I think, I have a funny idea, I’m on the train and I’m chuckling to myself. I will laugh at myself as a Partridge comes into my head, and put it in my phone, on my own.

‘Or I’ll look in a shop window and think about, I might say, “oh, what would Alan say about that. I’m still doing it now thirty years later, so it’s like a condition now.’ 

Steve’s career-defining character earned him no less than six awards – the most recent coming in 2017 at the TV BAFTA’s, where Alan Partridge’s Scissored Isle secured Best Male Comedy Performance for the actor.