10:08am UK, Saturday February 28, 2004

Ben Stiller has owned up to being a huge fan of television's Alan Partridge.

The American, who plays Starsky in the new-look Starsky and Hutch crime caper series, said he had even managed to spend time with creator Steve Coogan.

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The Meet the Parents star cited Coogan's jumper-wearing radio alter ego as his inspiration.

He told the Daily Star he had met up with Coogan during a recent stay in London.

The pair spent the day exchanging Partridge anecdotes.

He told the paper: "I don't think many people in America get the whole Alan Partridge thing, but I think he's a genius."

The actor now has plans for an Alan Partridge film project.

He said: "We've been talking about working on a movie together."