Alan Partridge's Irish lookalike leaves BBC viewers in hysterics with rendition of ‘Come Out Ye Black & Tans’
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Alan Partridge's Irish lookalike leaves BBC viewers in hysterics with rendition of ‘Come Out Ye Black & Tans’

"Oh my god, that was like an advert for the IRA".

BBC viewers were treated to the single most hilarious Alan Partridge moment in years last night as Steve Coogan's gaffe-prone character came face-to-face with his Irish doppelgänger.

Episode 4 of the new series This Time With Alan Partridge concluded with snaggle-toothed Sligo farmer Martin Brennan, also played by Coogan, sitting down with his British looalike for an interview about his life as a farmer in Ireland.

Then, this happened...

As the credits began to roll, Martin and his country band suddenly broke out into song with Irish rebel anthems ‘Come Out Ye Black and Tans’ and ‘Men Behind the Wire’ – much to the chagrin of Alan himself.

In classic Partridge style, the blundering presenter then turned to co-host Jennie (Susannah Fielding) and muttered: "Oh my god, that was like an advert for the IRA".

The bizarre scene left viewers in tears just minutes before BBC News at Ten – perhaps the last place anyone expected to hear about the green and lovely lanes of Killashandra after St Patrick's Day.

Needless to say, the reaction online was something else...