Steve Coogan appears as Alan Partridge on 'Jonathan Ross' - video

BBC Two may have held a special evening dedicated to the iconic encounter between David Frost and Richard Nixon last night, but ITV1 produced a memorable interview of its own, as Jonathan Ross met Alan Partridge.

Steve Coogan appeared as the Norwich-born radio presenter on The Jonathan Ross Show to promote the fictional character's new autobiography I, Partridge: We Need To Talk About Alan, which was released on Thursday.

The socially inept broadcaster has previously graced our television screens on Knowing Me, Knowing You and Clive Anderson Talks Back.

With cuts to a visibly bewildered Gary Barlow and Tulisa Contostavlos in the green room, Partridge revealed his love for The X Factor and spoke out against veteran judge Louis Walsh.

"I love X Factor," he declared. "Gary is a welcome shot in the arm for for all of that - it really needs it. And of course, he provided a lovely counter-balance to Louis Walsh, who I think everyone agrees is an awful man."

During the interview, Partridge also spoke candidly about a "sexy day" with "a retired primary school teacher with dyed hair".

Watch the full Ross/Partridge encounter below: