Election: Steve Coogan slammed over 'stomach-churning' views
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Coogan’s hit character Alan Partridge recently returned to screens with his new series, ‘This Time with Alan Partridge’. Here, we see Partridge having survived as a co-host of a popular television show, akin to The One Show and Good Morning Britain. The character has remained a fixture on the radio and television scene for three decades.
Many, including Coogan himself, have noted that Partridge has in a way became a self-fulfilling prophecy, much to the detriment of those he mocks.
Coogan, a staunch Remainer, in the aftermath of the Brexit vote became unafraid to air his dismay and dislike of the Leave campaign, as well as those who voted out.
Several times has he been accused of “elitism” and “condescension”.
None was this more present than during an interview with Channel 4 in 2019 shortly before the general election when he made a swipe at Brexiteers after being asked about Partridge.
Cathy Newman, Channel 4 News’ presenter, asked the actor what the character would make of the election.
Coogan replied: “Alan Partridge is ill-informed and ignorant, therefore he is a Conservative and a Brexiteer.”
The show’s guests quickly responded to Coogan for his sweeping statement.
James Johnson, former special advisor to Theresa May, hit back and said: “I don’t want to cause a fight with Steve Coogan.
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“This is exactly the attitude that means these long-term Labour voters, who are good people, are leaving the Labour Party and going to the Conservatives.
“People like Steve and people in the Twitter bubble and London bubble are calling them stupid.”
Ms Newman added: “Celebrities patronising people and telling them to vote is a little bit stomach-churning, isn’t it?”
In an attempt to defend himself, Coogan said: “Well, I could say nothing, but the fact is if you make a difference or you can say anything that will help influence the election, I think you’re honour bound to do that.
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“As we’ve seen, plenty of Tories are deserting the Tory party at the moment because it’s a party they don’t recognise.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson went on to secure a thumping majority in the election after running on the promise he would “get Brexit done”.
Partridge began his fictitious career as a dogged sports reporter on Radio 4’s parody show, ‘On The Hour’, in 1991.
Many quickly took to him.
Patrick Marber, who also appeared in roles alongside Coogan, told him early on that “this character is going to change your life”.
As Partridge grew into a phenomenon he was given his own show.
He even went on to secure his own film, ‘Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa’.
While many love the character, Coogan’s personality off-screen has caused some to dislike him.
During the Channel 4 News segment, he appeared to suggest that schools in the UK were deliberately underfunded to help win votes.
He said: “The reason the Tories don’t invest in education is they depend on the ignorance that will lead to their support.”
He added that he would withdraw his support for the Labour Party and instead vote Liberal Democrat.
The Lib Dems suffered a resounding defeat in 2019 with leader Jo Swinson losing her seat to the Scottish National Party.
This was after she started her campaign by saying she would become the next Prime Minister.
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