The Manchester-born comedian returned to the North West with his favourite television characters, headlined by the one and only Alan Partridge.

And clearly, the passing of the years have not improved the original dysfunctional DJ – much to the delight of a thoroughly-entertained audience at a packed King George's Hall in Blackburn on Friday night.

The song which begins the two-hour-plus show provides a suitably bizarre and unpredictable opening, setting the mood for the rest of the busy performance in which Coogan portrays his diverse and largely obnoxious characters.

The first half is dedicated to his "Other Less Successful Characters" (his words!) such as ex-roadie Tommy Saxondale, whacky comedian/ventriloquist Duncan Thickett and the Calfs, heavy drinker Paul and sex-mad Pauline.

There is an hilarious book reading and several songs, while the audience is also humorously advised by Saxondale on the reasons why drugs are (mostly) bad for us.

In the second part, Norwich-based chat show host Partridge turns on his inimitable "charm".

Actor, impressionist and comedian Coogan closes the show as himself with a comical singing sketch in which he makes light of negative media speculation about his private life.

Some people might prefer straight-forward stand-up comedy, but surely anyone who likes a laugh could not deny that the transfer of Partridge and co from television to stage still works a treat a decade later. It's different and it's funny.

After playing the last of two nights at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Monday, "Steve Coogan is Alan Partridge and other less successful characters" returns to the region next month when he will play several nights in Manchester and two at the Blackpool Opera House as part of his 10-week UK tour.

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