One fan thinks so, and has started a petition to get the much-loved fictional character to front the show.

The change.org petition, “Hire Alan Partridge for Top Gear”, has received almost 15,000 signatures since Monday when it was set up by Lorn Macdonald.

The petition description states that Partridge has “a strong track record for broadcast presenting, from his relaxed professionalism on BBC chat show ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ to his effortless banter on his talk shows at Radio Norwich”.

The petition says Partridge should be considered after his ‘strong track record for broadcast presenting’ It adds: “We believe this diversity of experience and his noted passion for cars puts Alan in great stead to take over as chief presenter after Clarkson’s successful tenure.

“Mr Partridge is both capable of retaining what has made the show great over the years and adding a new and vital reenergised flavour to the show. #HirePartridge.”

The petition is still somewhat shy of the 950,000 million people that have called for the BBC to reinstate Jeremy Clarkson, but it doesn’t seem to have discouraged Partridge fans.

After putting his name to the cause, fan Jonathan Sandford wrote: “The man who made Lexi the plural of Lexus is an automotive genius.”