Richard Madeley doesn't mind being compared to Alan Partridge.
Richard Madeley
The TV presenter stepped in for Piers Morgan on 'Good Morning Britain' last month and has been mocked mercilessly by viewers after a series of gaffes including swearing live on air, interrupting a cabinet minister mid-flow and sporting a very bold orange fake tan which left producers laughing behind the camera.
Addressing comparisons to Steve Coogan's hapless comedy broadcaster, Richard told The Sun: "If people want to take the p**s, that's fine. It's a harmless joke.
"I can take it. I don't take myself even remotely seriously. I know some people do, and they get offended by being teased -- but it's only teasing."
He also addressed the fake tan disaster, explaining that a very early wakeup and forgetting to shave led to the awkward moment which had workers on set "laughing into [his] earpiece from the gallery".
He said: "As I was going out the door I felt my face and thought, 'I should have shaved. I will get a b*****king.'
"I went back into the kitchen, got a dry shaver and had a quick shave. It started to itch, so I thought, 'I'll put some aftershave balm on.' Now I'm running late.
"I opened the kitchen cupboard, got what I thought was the shaving balm and put it on. I'm driving in to work and thought, 'It smells a bit funny, this balm -- it's a bit woody. It must have gone off.' "
During his time on the show, the 62-year-old star also shocked viewers as he revealed he doesn't wear underwear.
As part of a discussion about a new study which found 80 per cent of men kept their boxers for over 10 years, he said at the time: "I have been [commando] forever. I can't remember the last time I wore pants.
"I've said this a million times over the years. A lot of blokes don't these days."
Tagged in Piers Morgan Steve Coogan Richard Madeley