Chris Eubank in a still from the YouTube film
It’s not Monkey Tennis, or even Arm Wrestling with Chas and Dave, but one of Alan Partridge’s desperate ideas for a TV programme has finally hit the screen.
The fictional radio presenter’s increasingly surreal pitches to TV executive Tony Hayers included Youth Hostelling with Chris Eubank.
And now, behold, the former WBO middleweight world champion is starring in an, admittedly, short film of his experience at one of YHA’s properties.
YHA (England and Wales) said: “A 55-second YouTube film Youth Hostelling with Chris Eubank has become an overnight internet sensation.
“The film follows Twitter confusion last week after users kept asking him about Youth Hostels, with Chris’s confused responses soon going viral.”
Within 48 hours YHA, Hostelworld and the former boxer, renowned for his idiosyncratic couture and turn of phrase, teamed up and filmed the trailer at YHA Brighton.
The film features YHA Brighton staff and guests, and includes Eubank treating viewers to a tour of the accommodation and facilities at the hostel as well as a sing-along of Kumbaya with guests. Eubank delights in the hostel’s bunkbeds, describing them as ‘quite good’.
Christopher Livingston Eubank, also known as English, said: “I am delighted to be linked to YHA because I am not an actor and everything seen was most sincere.
“Indeed, the hostel was splendid, extraordinary and I’m very pleased to be introduced to this youth hostel world of accommodation, which is, for me, an absolute revelation.
“I danced and sang with genuine joy in my heart as is evident when watching the video. With a wry smile, I say this could be a potential case of farewell to the five-star properties I have known and enjoyed.
“The social media reaction has been fantastic and stupendous and I’m humbled by the overwhelming interest, response and very kind, positive comments. Simply put, I remain humbled.”
YHA Brighton, scene of the Eubank encounter with hostelling
Caroline White, chief executive of YHA (England and Wales), said: “We love the film and everything it represents. Naturally it’s all very tongue-in-cheek but what a fantastic way to spread the YHA message to even more young people and their families.”
Alan Partridge was the comedy creation of Steve Coogan and the 1997 episode in question features the hapless radio presenter pitching increasingly far-fetched programme themes to the broadcasting chief. As well as Hostelling with Chris Eubank, rejected ideas included Inner-City Sumo, Cooking in Prison and A Partridge Among the Pigeons.
