Mustard video and photo gallery: Alan Partridge movie is filmed in Norwich

Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan continues filming of his new film in Norwich.

David Freezer Friday, March 1, 2013
9:47 AM

The flashing blue lights of police cars lit up Norwich city centre yesterday – but it was all in aid of a movie about Norfolk’s most-famous fictional broadcaster.

Fans meet Partridge

There were limited opportunities for fans to ask Steve Coogan for autographs and photos around the filming of the Alan Partridge movie in Norwich yesterday.

There were a lucky few though, such as 18-year-old Emma Hampton, pictured. The UEA biological and medicinal chemistry student got a photo and autograph with Mr Coogan and was pleased she made the effort.

Miss Hampton, originally from Essex, said: “I had a photo with Steve and he was very polite but obviously very busy. I’ve been a big Partridge and Coogan fan so watching Partridge being filmed in Norwich was very surreal.”

Autograph hunter Louise Smith, from Mulbarton, was another enjoying the film crew’s visit, also getting the autographs of cast members Colm Meaney and Simon Greenhall.

Miss Smith, 27, said of meeting Mr Coogan: “He was nice and friendly, so was Colm, we got our photos with each of them as well, it’s been exciting.”

While Laura Bennison, 21, who lives in Earlham, said: “I’m liking the look of the scenes so far, it looks exciting. I’m a fan of Steve Coogan because he’s very funny and makes very clever comedy. I think it’s actually quite a good thing that it is being filmed in Norfolk, as it will bring some publicity to the area.”

Steve Coogan’s comedy creation Alan Partridge returned to Norwich for scenes of his upcoming movie debut to be shot.

Earlier this week the 140-strong cast and crew had been filming in Cromer and Sheringham as the cringeworthy radio DJ revisited his roots for the movie.

The cameras and buzz of the film set were brought to the city yesterday to continue the filming, outside the Forum and City Hall.

There was plenty for the gathered crowds to enjoy as well, as a police chase of Partridge in his Radio Norwich van moved from Theatre Street, across Millennium Plain and then St Peters Street in front of City Hall.

Some of the time Partridge even appeared to be being held at gunpoint by co-star Colm Meaney, formerly of Star Trek fame, as they were followed by five police cars and an ambulance.

The heavy presence of emergency vehicles even had some local residents worried.

One man approached one of the police cars, with actor Sean Pertwee sat in the passenger seat, to ask what was going on.

He soon realised that there was little urgency about the police officers from the fictional Norwich Police Service and shyly stepped away as he noticed the cameras.

With a small remotely-operated ‘helicam’ hovering above, taking footage similar to that which a police helicopter would in a police chase, it was certainly not your average lunchtime in Norwich.

The cameras then moved into City Hall later, as Norwich City Council’s customer services centre was redressed as the headquarters of the fictional Norwich Police Service, to continue the filming behind closed doors after 5pm.

The film is scheduled for release in August.

1 comments

Yes, yes, we know all that, but how was Chloe Smith's cameo performance in a spoof interview where she pretends to be somebody important in the Government? Did she remember her lines this time?

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Mr Cameron Isaliar

Friday, March 1, 2013