Steve Coogan on the evolution of Alan Partridge and 'laughing around mental health, not at it'

Paul GlynnCulture reporterBBCAlan Partridge is part of a British tradition of desperate male comedy characters which includes Captain Mainwaring, Basil Fawlty and David Brent"Do you like my orange socks?" asks Steve Coogan.The British actor is pointing down to a brightly coloured, Argyle patterned pair, worn with brown leather sandals."That's where Alan meets Steve," he adds. "In the socks."By Alan, of course, he…