BBC One will broadcast And Did Those Feet... With Alan Partridge, a new six part spoof documentary series starring Steve Coogan as his famous character.

The BBC explains: "In his new documentary series - And Did Those Feet... With Alan Partridge - we follow the beloved and, to be fair, revered broadcaster as he reintegrates into life in Britain after a year working in Saudi Arabia.

"But what begins as a documentary about homecoming soon morphs into something more personal as Alan realises that the happiness he thought he'd feel at being back in Norwich just hasn't materialised. Something's missing.

"We follow Alan as he sets off on a quest to understand his funk and to share what he learns with the nation. And if he ends up being seen as a mental health champion for the middle-aged, who's also a good fit to present other issues-led documentary strands, so be it.

"Over six episodes, Alan explores exactly half a dozen of the areas that play a part in keeping us funk-free, from home lives, to work life, to the importance of nature, to relationships, to pastimes, to a sixth topic he's not worked out yet because he's a proper journalist, not just a sausage machine knocking out content.

"It's a journey through the mental health of himself and the country he loves (the UK including Northern Ireland) to ask: are we mentally unwell, mentally challenged, sad, cross, disturbed or just plain fed up?"

Alan Partridge comments: "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia enjoys extensive oil and natural gas reserves, but has also seen economic growth in other areas such as agricultural production, retail trade, construction, and transport. It directs some $69 billion to military expenditure each year. And yet despite all that, I somehow felt incomplete."

The series has been written by Coogan and Neil & Rob Gibbons, and will be directed by the Gibbons brothers. The trio have previously worked together to script other Alan Partridge projects, including 2019 series This Time With Alan Partridge.

The format of this new spoof documentary has been in development for some time. The writers first revealed in 2019 that Alan would be "trying his hand at something else".

Talking about the new format, Sarah Monteith from producers Baby Cow, says: "We're delighted Alan's back from Saudi Arabia with his appetite for broadcasting undiminished. ADTFWAP promises to be exactly the sort of uncompromising, state-of-the-nation piece that the country needs, almost as much as he does."

Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning, comments: "Alan Partridge is the most iconic comedy character in the UK. The wonderful Steve Coogan and Neil & Rob Gibbons continue to innovate and create an even richer world for Alan to inhabit. This unflinching look at the state of the UK through Alan's eyes promises to add more brilliance to the Partridge canon."

This show was one of a number of new BBC commissions announced today. Also revealed were Only Child, a sitcom starring Gregor Fisher & Greg McHugh; a new Philomena Cunk special; Dreaming Whilst Black Series 2; Man Like Mobeen Series 5; and, as previously revealed by BCG last month, The Cleaner Series 3.

Jon Petrie says: "The BBC is the home of comedy, commissioning more than anyone else in the UK. Nine out of 10 of the top rating scripted comedies last year were on the BBC and the enduring popularity of our comedy is reflected in its success on BBC iPlayer with over 600 million requests in 2023. We are the biggest backers of new talent and we nurture and develop brand new comedy voices whilst still attracting the most established household names and I'm really pleased to be welcoming back some fan favourites alongside our new sitcom Only Child."