Steve Coogan, known for his role in Alan Partridge, has strongly criticized Reform UK, labeling Nigel Farage’s party as ‘anti-human rights’. The actor and comedian, hailing from Greater Manchester, expressed concern over world leaders’ belief that they can act with impunity during international conflicts.
In an interview with Big Issue, Coogan voiced his distress over the normalization of conflict behavior, citing recent events in Gaza and US military actions as examples. He highlighted his worries about the diminishing respect for human rights and criticized Reform UK for its anti-human rights stance, dismissing it as a bureaucratic obstacle.
Apart from his criticism of Reform UK, Coogan also discussed the upcoming film Saipan, where he will portray football manager Mick McCarthy in a retelling of the infamous clash with player Roy Keane during the 2002 Fifa World Cup.
Reflecting on the film’s narrative, Coogan emphasized the need for a balanced portrayal of both sides of the conflict. He acknowledged the merit in Mick’s attempt to make the World Cup experience meaningful for Ireland, contrasting it with Roy Keane’s rebellious stance against the underdog narrative.
Coogan is best known for his portrayal of Alan Partridge, a character that first appeared on television in The Day Today in 1994 and has since been featured in various TV shows like Knowing Me Knowing You With Alan Partridge, I’m Alan Partridge, and How Are You?
His cinematic roles include appearances in films such as 24 Hour Party People (2002), The Look Of Love (2013), and Stan And Ollie (2018). Reform UK has been approached for comments on Coogan’s remarks. For the full interview, readers can refer to this week’s issue of Big Issue.
