Why do people shout ‘Alan’ at festivals?

EVERY summer sees thousand and thousands of revellers flock to festivals for a weekend of fun and music.

However, these events often come with a craze that sweeps across them - including people shouting "Alan!".

What is the 'Alan' meme?

The 'Alan' meme is actually not a new thing, and started 15 years ago.

Back in 2009, BBC Earth released their adorable show, Walk On The Wild Side.

Airing early eve on BBC One, the show involved wild animal footage that had been dubbed with a voiceover to give the appearance of the animals doing the talking.

It was similar to the popular animation show Creature Comforts, but instead used real animals.

Celebrity guest voices were also included in each episode of Walk On The Wild Side.

But the animal that really put this cute BBC show on the map was a marmot, which is a large ground squirrel.

In the show he can be seen trying to get the attention of another marmot, and just calls out "Alan, Alan, Alan!", repeatedly.

It's not known who voiced the sweet creature on the show, but the character was hugely popular.

Fans loved it so much that at the time people started shouting it out in pubs and across the street to their friends.

Why do people shout 'Alan' at festivals?

Festival goers love a good craze, so shouting "Alan" has become one.

It tends to occur at night when some people are trying to get to sleep, while others are still excited from the day's festival fun.

Revellers will start shouting, "Alan, Alan, Alan!" from their tent, in hope of sparking it off with other people.

It will then continue until they get bored, or fall asleep, before someone starts it off again.

However, not everyone likes this craze and have taken to forums to vent.

One disgruntled festival worker posted: "I am working at Creamfields at the moment trying to get an hours well earned kip and all I can hear is folks shouting Alan. Wtf's all that about.?"

Another wrote: "Yes, Alan, Alan, Alan, Alan, - annoying after a few hours!"

This one also said: "This Alan craze is making me not want to go to festivals!"

Can you still watch Walk On The Wild Side?

Walk On The Wild Side was a huge hit for the BBC.

Fans were treated to two series of the show which aired from 2009 until 2010.

The good news is, you can still watch this adorable show.

You can stream all 13 episodes on the BBC iPlayer right now.