Fans' backlash at live shows

Steve Coogan is facing a backlash from angry fans who claim he is underprepared for his current tour.

He faced boos as he performed at the 10,000-seat Liverpool Echo Arena this week, as many walked out in disgust at his lacklustre performance, despite having paid more than £30 for a ticket.

The city’s Daily Post newspaper – whose official review called the show ‘half-arsed’ – said its website had been swamped with ‘an unparalleled and overwhelming response’ from angry Scousers.

The response has been similar across the UK, with former fans posting their disappointment at the tour, Steve Coogan As Alan Partridge And Other Less Successful Characters, on Chortle, too.

Geoff Owen, who was at the Liverpool gig, wrote on the Daily Post site: ‘The whole thing was a shambles – fluffed lines, under rehearsed, and of course if all else fails, to hide weak material, fall back on the use of foul language for a cheap laugh.’

Tom Billard: ‘This was a lame performance and I would not bother turning up tonight even if I was offered a free ticket.’

And of his dates elsewhere in the country, John and Sharon of Nottingham said; ‘We were very disappointed. For £60 we expected more and did not expect to fall asleep halfway through. Don't waste your money - not at all funny.’

In Blackburn, Joe Brown said: ‘Sorry, Steve, as a loyal Cooganite I was just embarrassed for you in Blackburn tonight.’

In Oxford, Mark Jones complained: ‘I couldn't believe how shoddy it was. It was tired, stale and lazy… I'm a huge Coogan fan but feel as though the phrase 'money for (very) old rope has never been more apt.

In Derby, Phil said: ‘Coogan clearly stumbled over his lines quite a lot… And he clearly had all his lines written down on the “prop” cue cards and clipboards he used when doing Partridge – but this seemed to make him more confused as he struggled to deliver lines whilst keeping his notes in synch.’

A spokeswoman for Coogan said: 'A great deal of time and effort has gone into the preparation and production of the live tour. We are sorry to hear some people did not enjoy the performances.'

Some fans were, indeed, happy with the show. Michael Booth said that in Blackburn: ‘I, along with pretty much the whole audience enjoyed ourselves immensely. He got pretty much a [standing] ovation at the end.’

And John Lally, who saw the Liverpool show, wrote: ‘It was more entertaining than any other show I've been to this year.’

Click here to read the comments left on Chortle.

Published: 17 Oct 2008