Alan Partridge wins RHS gold medal as his podcast returns for Series 4
On the day Alan Partridge returns to the public's ears "with the contractually-obligated fourth series" of his podcast, it's been revealed that the real-life garden design featured in one of the new episodes has won an award from the Royal Horticultural Society.
The 11 new episodes of the podcast see the character "offering his unique perspective on some of the smallest issues facing the nation today, including: stately homes, British porches, what life was like in 1994, the health of his assistant, and his return to modelling, to name a few."
Besides new hobbies and familiar ramblings, the new series of From the Oasthouse takes a more serious turn. As the dark shadow of the British justice system looms large, North Norfolk's best loved broadcaster - "like many great men before him whose lives were lain waste by a single poor decision such as Jonathan Aitken and Lester Piggott" - faces a criminal case that could alter the course of his life forever.
Explaining how the garden links in to the series, the producers say: "With a known love of the Norfolk countryside, listeners may not be surprised to hear that Alan has also broken fresh ground - quite literally - as he delves into horticulture for the first time to promote the return of the new series. Series 4 of From The Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast includes an episode where Alan collaborates with award-winning Norfolk-based designers, Carey Garden Design Studio, as they bring to life a bold new venture - the creation of an Alan Partridge Sound Bath Garden, set to debut at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival this Summer."
The garden, which launches to the public at Hampton Court on Tuesday (1st July), will be available to view until Sunday. The garden includes metal plaques depicting the character's face.
Joe Carey from Carey Garden Design Studio says: "We're absolutely delighted to have been awarded a gold medal for the Sound Bath Garden this morning. It's a true testament to the garden's horticultural excellence and its joyful celebration of the iconic personality of Alan Partridge". Laura Carey adds: "I cannot wait to see Patridge fans - new and old - interact with the Sound Bath Garden over the coming week. It's been such an exciting project, like nothing we have done before and sure to put a smile on every visitor's face".
Alan Partridge meanwhile comments: "As someone not poor enough to have ever lived in a flat, gardens have been a feature of my domestic life for decades. So I can think of nowhere I'd rather announce the new series of my podcast than here alongside the Royal Horticultural Society which - after the Royal Society, the RSPCA, the RSPB, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the Royal Society of Ulster Architects, the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers, the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene and of course the Royal Society of St George - is arguably our most respected Royal Society."
Voiced by Steve Coogan and written by Coogan, Neil Gibbons and Rob Gibbons, Series 4 of From The Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast is now available to subscribers via Audible. New users to the platform can claim a three month free trial.