Millionaire comic Steve Coogan blasted after he furloughs gardener and housekeeper at €4million estate

ALAN Partridge star Steve Coogan has furloughed the gardener and housekeeper at his €4million country pile.

The wealthy comic, 54, has left the taxpayer to stump up 80 per cent of the pair’s wages.

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They worked full-time at leftie Coogan’s estate in the South before the Covid crisis.

But earlier this year leftie Coogan, worth around €10million, boasted how he didn’t “get anything for free,” claiming: “I pay for everything.”

His two staff work full-time at his €4million home in southern England, which boasts a swimming pool and tennis court.

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said last night: “The furlough scheme is to protect businesses that are suspended and can’t operate during the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’d be difficult to see how Steve Coogan’s earning potential has been diminished. The grass is still growing in his back garden and his house still needs cleaning.”

He added of Jeremy Corbyn fan Coogan: “He’s certainly a Conservative voter now.”

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A source said the pair did not live there and it was deemed impossible to keep working.

They said: “The workers are gutted they can’t make it in because of the coronavirus situation. It was established it wouldn’t be possible to continue working with the social distancing measures in place.

“So Coogan took advantage of the furlough scheme while they’re unable to come in.”

But last week new government guidance stated in-house workers such as cleaners and gardeners should go back to work. It said they must social distance where possible.

'I PAY FOR EVERYTHING'

Coogan played a billionaire fashion mogul in 2019 film Greed, but this year claimed he was nothing like him.

He boasted: “I pay for everything,” and took a pop at other actors, claiming: “I don’t get anything for free.”

Coogan’s actions are within the law, though he joins some of Britain’s richest men and women in claiming government aid.

Victoria Beckham was forced into a U-turn after furloughing her fashion firm staff despite a £355million family empire.

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TaxPayers’ Alliance chief executive John O’Connell said: “Support should only be sought if it’s really needed.”

Coogan did not comment on furloughing his staff.

But he said: “This non-story has more to do with my legal actions against the publishers of The Sun and campaign for press reform than anything else.”

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