By Mike Taylor,Ravi Meah

Copyright manchestereveningnews

In 1994, Steve Coogan’s iconic character Alan Partridge graced an episode of BBC Two’s comedy The Day Today, offering a tongue-in-cheek take on that year’s World Cup. The segment, which has since turned into a widely-shared meme, featured him droning “Goal!” alongside comically overblown commentary like “S**t! Did you see that?” Fast forward three decades and the Middleton actor is set to delve back into the World Cup scene – this time, he’s stepping onto the field to recreate one of football’s most notorious bust-ups. His latest film Saipan premieres in the UK on Friday (September 19), delving into the infamous grudge match between Republic of Ireland’s then-captain Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy before the 2002 World Cup. Starring Steve himself and Irish actor Éanna Hardwicke as Mick and Roy respectively, the film revisits the tense events that led to and followed the coach’s decision to send his captain packing from their pre-World Cup training camp – a move that sparked outrage among fans in Ireland. As Saipan gears up for its UK release, even Mick expressed initial reservations about seeing Steve play him, humorously telling the EFL Unfiltered podcast : “I said to the producer… it began with an F and it was Friday, Friday, Saturday [spelling out an X-rated acronym]! And I said ’22 years on and you’re making a film about me?'” Steve’s earnest performances represent a departure from the comedic antics he showcased as the beloved fictional Radio Norwich presenter, among other memorable characters. His triumph with Alan Partridge, earning both Baftas and British Comedy Awards, paved the way for him to tackle other remarkable roles. Consider, for example, his haunting portrayal of Jimmy Savile in BBC One’s The Reckoning. There’s also his widely praised depiction of journalist Brian Walden in Channel 4’s Brian and Maggie. And we mustn’t overlook his humorous interpretation of Phileas Fogg in Around The World in 80 Days. But what about his existence beyond his acting and scriptwriting? He has attracted considerable attention through his romances with models, actresses and musicians, reports the Mirror . In 2002, for example, Steve married British socialite Caroline Hickman, though they parted ways in 2005 with Caroline declaring the union had broken down beyond repair. Following his divorce, he embarked on a two-week liaison with Courtney Love, the rock musician and widow of iconic Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain. Her recollections of their encounter were less than fond, however, once revealing to Love magazine: “All it was, was a couple of s**gs at the Sunset Marquis and I did not know he was Alan Partridge.” In 2021, Courtney didn’t hold back her feelings about Steve when she compared her album America’s Sweetheart to their past involvement: “Like Steve Coogan, or crack, it’s one of my life’s great shames.” Not that Steve was bothered, as he reminisced: “Some of it was true, most of it was b******s. To borrow the title of the film [2005’s A Cock and Bull Story], it was 20 per cent cock and 80 per cent bull.” Beyond his tryst with Courtney, Steve has been romantically linked to several high-profile women. His past relationships include restaurant heiress China Chow from 2008 to 2011, a model Elle Basey between 2011 and 2014, and Ashton-under-Lyne superstar Melanie Sykes between 2018 and 2019. Steve is a father to Clare Coogan Cole, 26, who he had with Anna Cole. Clare has a background in production at Rag Doll TV, known for children’s programming, and spent three years working on campaigns for Lord Watson of Wyre Forest, a former deputy leader of the Labour Party. Clare has also appeared in small roles on some of her father’s projects, such as Saxondale, Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge and The Alan Partridge Podcast. Steve reportedly enjoys a quiet life in the picturesque East Sussex village of Barcombe. This idyllic locale is tucked away in the South Downs, offering a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. He’s also gained a reputation for his love of cars, evolving into a true motor enthusiast over the years. His estate, complete with a swimming pool and tennis court, is believed to provide ample space for his car collection, which includes a fleet of Ferraris. Before settling in Barcombe, Steve lived in Ovingdean Grange, a magnificent property on the outskirts of Brighton. The country mansion has two main points of interest: it was not only Steve’s previous residence, but it also played a significant role in a novel. The novel, named Ovingdean Grange: A Tale Of The South Downs, was penned by William Harrison Ainsworth, a close friend of Charles Dickens, in 1857. Steve Coogan parted with £2.45m for the Grade II* listed property in 2011, and it served as his home for six years before he listed it for sale at £3.5m. The three-storey, six-bedroom giant features a courtyard garden, a cinema room and a billiard room.