Now that's Greed! Steve Coogan furloughs the gardener and housekeeper at his £4million mansion leaving taxpayers to pick up 80% of tab

Comedian Steve Coogan has furloughed the gardener and housekeeper at his £4million country home, it was reported last night.

Both members of staff worked full-time at the Left-wing actor's house in West Sussex – which has a swimming pool and a tennis court – before the virus struck.

They were unable to carry out their duties because of social distancing rules so the Alan Partridge star, 54, reportedly took advantage of the Government's furlough scheme to put them on leave.

Coogan, worth an estimated £10million, played a billionaire fashion mogul in 2019 film 'Greed', but earlier this year claimed he was nothing like him. 

He said: 'I for everything,' and took pop at other actors, claiming he 'didn't get anything for free'.

Steve Coogan, 54, as Alan Partridge, striking a comic pose by a flower bed. The actor's mansion in the south of England is worth £4m and boasts a swimming pool and tennis court

Coogan, known for creating the Alan Partridge character, is worth around £10million and backed Labour's former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Coogan's house boasts a tennis court and swimming pool

The government's furlough scheme covers 80 per cent of salaries up to £2,500 a month. 

Tory MP Andrew Bridgen slammed the millionaire comedian for getting taxpayers to fund his household staff's wages. 

'The furlough scheme is to protect businesses that are suspended and can't operate during the pandemic,' he told The Sun. 

'It'd be difficult to see how Steve Coogan's earning potential has been diminished.'

A source told the paper that the two members of staff had been 'gutted' about not being able to get into work, 'So Coogan took advantage of the furlough scheme while they're unable to come in.'

Last week the Government's new 'Stay Alert' guidance said that in-house workers could get back to business and socially distance where possible.

It comes after Victoria Beckham reversed her decision to furlough staff at her fashion firm despite her family being worth more than £300million.

A source told the newspaper Mr Coogan's staff did not live at the house and it was not possible for their work to continue. '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.'

The Mancunian actor, who has appeared in a string of Hollywood movies, played a billionaire in the 2019 film Greed but has maintained the character is nothing like him.

His apparent decision to furlough staff is legal. He told reporters: 'This is a non-story.'

Coogan's representatives were approached for comment.

Coogan, worth an estimated £10million, played a billionaire fashion mogul in 2019 film 'Greed', but earlier this year claimed he was nothing like him 

Outside of showbusiness he is a noted car enthusiast and used to own a string of Ferraris.

Last August he dodged a driving ban for a speeding offence in his Porsche near his East Sussex home after successfully claiming that he could not film the next Alan Partridge series if he could not get behind the wheel.

Until last December he was dating TV host Mel Sykes, 49, but the couple split after a year.

He has one daughter, Clare, from a previous relationship with lawyer Anna Cole in the 1990s.

Since then he married Caroline Hickman in 2002 before their divorce in 2005, and he has dated models China Chow and Loretta Basey.

It was reported last month that Victoria Beckham, whose family is worth £335million, had planned to opt into the Government's 80 percent scheme. It is understood the firm's application would have cost taxpayers £150,000.

But after backlash Victoria Beckham Ltd said its board 'now believe that with the support of our shareholders, we can navigate through this crisis without drawing from the furlough scheme.'

Millionaire comedian Coogan playing Alan Partridge

Other celebrities including Jamie Oliver and Dragons Den star Peter Jones have also sought taxpayer assistance for their staff.

Oliver has furloughed 20 people, including chefs at his Jamie Oliver Cookery School.

And Mr Jones, worth £490million, reportedly furloughed 400 Jessops workers.

Coogan attends the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards presented by American Airlines and Jaguar Land Rover at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 25, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California

Sir Richard Branson and Sir Philip Green have also faced the wrath of the public for relying on government funds to pay their staff.

The government's Job Retention Scheme was unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in March in response to the millions of people out of work because of the lockdown.

In an unprecedented package, he announced the Treasury would bankroll 80 per cent of an employees' wages - up to £2,500 a month - if they were furloughed.

Since then the scheme has been extended until at least July after which some the Government will allow for some more flexibility on whether employer's are obliged to keep paying furloughed staff.

But Mr Sunak has said the scheme will continue running under a reviewed format until at least October.

What is the government's furlough scheme? 

Since March, the government has been bankrolling millions of furloughed workers' wages.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Job Retention Scheme pays 80 per cent of an employees income, up to £2,500 a month.

It allows employees who cannot work in the lockdown to stay on a company's payroll, rather than being laid off

The government has extended the scheme until October, but from August will ask firms to share the costs with the Treasury.