Time for a laugh

Steve Coogan is best known for his character Alan Partridge. Photo / Supplied by Bridget DeLaunay

After years of admiring their talent from afar, New Zealand gets the chance to roll in the aisles as the brains behind some of Britain's best television, Steve Coogan and French & Saunders, announce tours.

Coogan - best known for his role as the world's worst broadcaster, Alan Partridge - will tour New Zealand as part of the International Comedy Festival this May, while French & Saunders present their First and Final Farewell Tour this winter.

Double act Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders first paired up in the late 70s and are responsible for a host of hit BBC shows, including Girls on Top, Jam and Jerusalem and their self-titled sketch comedy show.

The tour promises a selection of new material and old favourites from throughout the pair's 30-year career, including the infamous Two Fat Men and Dawn's flawless impersonation of Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Alongside Partridge, Coogan's portfolio of characters includes pest controller Tommy Saxondale, observational comedian Duncan Thicket, and Portuguese Eurovision singer Tony Ferrino.

Fans will also recognise him from last year's blockbuster comedy Tropic Thunder, in which he played the hapless director, opposite Ben Stiller and Robert Downey jnr.

Coogan will begin his tour in Wellington on April 30, before performing at Auckland's Civic Theatre on May 8.

French & Saunders will also perform at the Civic Theatre on July 31. Tickets go on sale March 16 from the-edge.co.nz.