He is arguably the most well-known fictional chat show host and radio DJ to have ever come out of Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: Alan meets Danial Taylor during his book signing at Jarrolds - Paul Bayfield.Alan meets Danial Taylor during his book signing at Jarrolds - Paul Bayfield. (Image: PAUL JOHN BAYFIELD)

And on Saturday, Alan Partridge returned to the city to meet around 500 dedicated fans for a book signing event.

The character, played by actor Steve Coogan, stopped at Jarrold on Saturday to promote his first foray into travel writing.

People began queuing outside the store on London Street at 9am, with some travelling from as far as Leeds.

And while most people brought books to be signed, others brought him gifts based on references to his TV series, including a Terry's Chocolate Orange with some 'superficial damage' to the box.

Wearing a red wine-coloured jacket, blue shirt and striped yellow tie, he chatted with fans, often commenting on their own fashion choices.

The Norwich signing was said to be the biggest of four events he was taking part in across the country.

Carole Slaughter, marketing manager for Jarrold, said the 500 tickets to the book signing sold out three weeks in advance.

Peter Rendell, 40, and Nicky Vockins, 36, drove six hours from Weymouth especially for the event.

Mr Rendell, who was wearing a T-shirt of Alan in his underpants, said: 'He said he liked my T-shirt, but added that he would not wear it every day. I told him that I only wear it for special occasions.'

Meanwhile, photographer Karla Gowlett, 36, travelled from London with her friend Angela Nesi, 34, to meet him.

She said: 'My ex-boyfriend got me into the show and when we broke up, I said I am keeping the DVD's – so thanks for that.

'When I met Alan he said we would make a great couple because of my [red] coat.'

The new book, entitled Nomad, follows Partridge's journey through Britain in what is described as one of 'huge personal significance'.

It is the third by Partridge, and co-written with Rob and Neil Gibbons, who were behind his autobiography I, Partridge and the Mid-Morning Matters series.

He was last in the city in 2013 for the world première of his film Alpha Papa at Hollywood Cinema in Anglia Square.

Hundreds of people turned out to greet him after a social media campaign to get the première held in the city, which was dubbed 'Anglia Square not Leicester Square'.