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6 months ago
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Awkward men doing bizarre things is a pitfall in British politics and Rishi Sunak is no stranger to being likened to the grimace inducing Alan Partridge.
Whether it is an odd photo stunt or baffling on air mishaps, the embattled Prime Minister seems stumble into one Partridge scene again and again.
When he showed down with Home Secretary James Cleverly in a push up challenge yesterday- the synergy between Mr Sunak and Partridge looked closer than ever.
In the Downing Street garden the competition took on Partridge-like aspects when the PM's blonde Labrador Nova began jumping on the pair.
Here we look at some of the other awkward mishaps that have led to comparisons to Steve Coogan's comedy creation.
Rishi Sunak has been likened to Alan Partridge in the past for his awkward public encounters
Alan Partridge played by Steve Coogan is famous for his memorable one-liners
Mr Sunak and his blonde labrador Nova on a jog
James Cleverly and Rishi Sunak go head to head in a push-up showdown at Number 10
Filling up a Kia Rio
Mr Sunak was mocked while Chancellor for getting his £12,000 Kia Rio filled up while being one of the richest men in the country.
He was pictured at a Sainsburys' garage before heading inside where he was filmed trying to pay for the fuel using his bank card at a barcode scanner.
Vicki Kelsall who responded to the pictures on X, formely Twitter, quippped: ' Sweet Jesus, Rishi Sunak has really embraced taking over from Matt Hancock as the Cabinet Alan Partridge hasn’t he.'
Rishi Sunak was described as having an Alan Partridge moment at the garage with his card
Do you work in business?
In December, 2022 Mr Sunak visited a homeless centre in Victoria to speak to people without homes to go to at Christmas time.
During a brief exchange with one man, who was unnamed, he asked him about his background and interests.
Partway through the conversation, Mr Sunak asked if the man worked in 'finance' which drew mockery from the public.
The back and forth between the PM and the gentleman was widely circulated on social media afterwards.
Mr Sunak was mocked for asking a homeless man if he worked in finance at a shelter
The Prime Minister was at the shelter in Victoria before Christmas in December 2022
The man was not indentified during the interview but Mr Sunak was mocked for the question
'Hi Rhondda!'
While appearing on Nick Ferrari's programme on LBC, Mr Sunak was fielding questions from listeners.
One woman called Lousie rang in from the South Wales valley of Rhondda and was put through to Mr Sunak.
Mr Ferrari introduced her: 'Louise is in the Rhondda Valley and you are through to the Prime Minister. Go ahead Louise.'
But Mr Sunak slipped up greeting her: 'Hi Rhonda'
Explainging the mishap Mr Ferrari said: 'Louise is in the Rhondda Valley.'
Apologetically Mr Sunak replied: 'I missed that. Sorry. Hi Louise...'
Mr Sunak speaking to the nation on LBC gets a listener's name wrong in an awkward mixup
Mr Sunak was put right by the host Nick Ferrari who intervened quickly
'Coke Addict'
In 2019 while on a school visit Mr Sunak was asked what his favourite drink was by two male pupils.
The PM answered it was Coca-Cola and that as a boy he needed seven fillings after his daily intake of the sweet fizzy drink.
But then he added he was a total: 'coke addict' momentarily not realising the other meaning of the term.
He said: 'One of those things that not many people know about me, so I collect Coca-Cola things already. I’m a Coke addict. Total Coke addict. Coca-Cola addict, just for the record, just to be totally clear.'
Later in February 2023, the PM acknowledged his struggle with the pop drink and said he was down to one can a week.
Mr Sunak appeared at Coca-Cola factory in Northern Ireland to talk to workers
He previously admitted being a 'coke addict' but quickly cleared up he did not mean drugs.
The Beatles
The PM said he his favourite band of all time is The Beatles which oddly enough is the same as Partridge.
Mr Sunak was quizzed on GB News in November, 2022 about his favourite musical act and answered it was the 'Fab Four' from Liverpool.
Partridge is asked what his favourite album is in a mock interview in 'I’m Alan Partridge', and answers: 'Tough one. I think I’d have to say the best of the Beatles.'
Mr Sunak said The Beatles were his go to band while being interviwed on GB news
The Fab Four connect Mr Sunak and Partridge through admiration for the band's music
Pals: The blue bloods, the upper and the working class
In a clip which resurfaced during the Conservative leadership election of 2022 against Liz Truss, Mr Sunak tried to give a breakdown of his friends.
Asked by a BBC interviewer when he was 21, where his friends came from Mr Sunak at first gave the impression they were from all sorts of backgrounds.
He said: 'I have friends who are aristocrats, I have friends who are upper-class, I have friends who are, you know, working-class.'
He then momentarily pauses and reflects: 'Well, not working-class.’
The admission from a young Mr Sunak caused him embarrassment as he earnestly attempted to come across as a man of the people during his campaign.
He later said: 'We all say silly things when we're students, but I've talked about my background, my family were welcomed here as migrants'.
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