Fighting fires in the West Midlands is probably one of the least likely places people would expect to find Alan Partridge.

But for one firefighter who shares the same household name, comparisons to Steve Coogan’s bumbling fictional TV and radio presenter have become a way of life.

Alan Partridge, a 25-year-old firefighter from Codsall, has got used to the sniggers and raised eyebrows over the years thanks to the legendary TV character.

For him, “I’m Alan Partridge” is a genuine ice-breaker and has been the source of numerous tales.

Codsall’s Alan has had to endure pizza delivery firms thinking he is a prank caller and having to repeatedly insist to bosses that he is being honest about his name.

But, despite hating Coogan’s character while he was at Bilbrook Middle School and later Codsall High, Alan said it was “probably the best name in the world”.

He is a firefighter at Cradley Heath Fire Station but also works as a retained firefighter in his home village of Codsall.

On his first day at Cradley Heath his fun-loving colleagues had downloaded a clip of Coogan’s character in action and blasted it out on the Tannoy as he walked across the yard. “Steve Coogan has a lot to answer for,” he joked. “I really hated it when it all started because I was at school.

“I refused to even watch it for years but it doesn’t bother me anymore and I find it quite funny. It’s always guaranteed to get a reaction and gives you something to talk to people about when you first meet,” he added.

Alan, of Lime Tree Gardens, said the comparisons were starting up again as Steve Coogan is currently back in the public eye with his first stand-up tour in 10 years.