Inside the life of Steve Coogan from quiet home life to rock star fling

Steve Coogan stars as former Labour MP turned interviewer Brian Walden in Channel 4 drama Brian and Walden.

The new Channel 4 drama delves into how a single television interview in 1989 by ex-Labour MP Brian Walden (Steve Coogan) led to the downfall of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Harriet Walter).

The actor and comedian is best known for his comedic radio and television character Alan Partridge, who has spawned several series and a film, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, and won him a number of awards including a Bafta.

Coogan has also starred in Philomena, Stan and Ollie and The Reckoning Around the World in 80 Days, Tropic Thunder, The Trip and Saxondale.

Beyond his acting and writing career, Coogan has hit the headlines for his relationships with models, well-known actresses and singers.

Early life and career of Steve Coogan

Born on October 14, 1965, the star grew up in Alkrington in Rochdale where he gained 4 A-levels: English Literature, British Government and Politics, Art, and General Studies.

Coogan had a taste for acting and comedy and worked as a voice artist for television advertisements and the satirical puppet show Spitting Image. He went on to extend his comedy career by performing in sketch shows and at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

While working on the Radio 4 comedy On the Hour, Coogan created Alan Partridge, a parody of British sports presenters.

Arguably his well-known character, the character had a number of shows including Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge, I'm Alan Partridge, Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge, Alan Partridge's Scissored Isle, This Time with Alan Partridge.

The character had his own film called Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa and will return for a new BBC series And Did Those Feet... With Alan Partridge later this year.

The 2000s saw Coogan transition into films and more dramatic roles, including 24 Hour Party People and played Octavius, a miniature Roman general figure in the Night at the Museum trilogy.

Coogan worked with Rob Brydon for the partially improvised BBC2 sitcom The Trip and subsequent series and films. Coogan enjoyed success as a writer and producer in Philomena and Stan & Ollie.

Recent roles include playing Jimmy Savile in the BBC One series The Reckoning, Paddy Meyers in Joker: Folie à Deux and The Lost King.

Rock star fling

In 2002, Coogan married British socialite Caroline Hickman, but the pair divorced in 2005, with Hickman saying the marriage had irretrievably broken down.

The same year Coogan's divorce was granted, he had a brief two-week fling with Hole singer Courtney Love, who was married to Nirvana rocker Kurt Cobain.

In 2021, Love called the rendezvous "one of my life's great shames" on social media. In the post, the musician criticised her solo record America's Sweetheart, writing: "Like Steve Coogan, or crack, it's one of my life's great shames."

Asked about the romance claims, Coogan once said: "Some of it was true, most of it was b*****ks. To borrow the title of the film, it was 20 per cent c***, and 80 per cent bull."

Beyond Courtney Love, Coogan has had a number of high-profile relationships. Coogan dated actress and restaurant heiress China Chow between 2008 and 2011, model Elle Basey between 2011 and 2014 and Melanie Sykes in 2018 and 2019.

Does Steve Coogan have any children?

Steve Coogan has one daughter from his relationship with Anna Cole, namely Clare Coogan Cole.

The 26-year-old previously worked in administration and later campaigned for former deputy leader of the Labour Party Lord Tom Watson for three years.

She has also played minor roles in her father's projects, including Saxondale, Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge, and The Alan Partridge podcast.

Clare was previously a Production Assistant at Rag Doll TV Ltd, a TV company that produces children's programmes.

Steve Coogan's quiet life away from the cameras

Coogan is understood to live in the quiet village of Barcombe within the Lewes District of East Sussex. The picturesque East Sussex village sits cosily upon the South Downs, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Coogan is well known for his love of cars, becoming something of a motoring enthusiast over the years. As well as a swimming pool and tennis court, his mansion is believed to have plenty of space for an array of cars, including a selection of Ferraris.

Before moving to Barcombe, Coogan lived in a beautiful house in Ovingdean on the outskirts of Brighton. Coogan lived in a house that's famous in its own right - Ovingdean Grange.

The country mansion has two main claims to fame: while known for being the home of Steve Coogan, it also famously featured in a well-known novel. The author William Ainsworth, a friend of Charles Dickens, wrote the novel Ovingdean Grange: A Tale Of The South Downs in 1857.

Coogan paid £2.45 million for the Grade II* listed house in 2011, and lived there for around six years before listing it for sale for £3.5 million. The six-bedroom house is made up of three floors and comes with a courtyard garden, a cinema room, and a billiard room.