Steve Coogan has revealed he may have changed his views on Scottish independence after the UK left the European Union.
The actor and comedian was one of around 200 celebrities who signed a letter in the run-up to the referendum in 2014 urging Scots to vote 'No'.
In the Brexit referendum Scotland voted 62 per cent in favour of remaining in the EU, while the UK as a whole voted to leave in 2016.
During an interview on the BBC to promote his new Alan Partridge live tour Coogan was asked his views on independence.
He said: "I can totally understand the desire for Scottish independence.
"In fact, I may have shifted my position. That’s something I’m processing as a half-English, half-Irishman.
"I don’t feel as strongly as I did…because of the change in circumstances.
"I would totally understand it. A part of me feels like, you know, it would be a kick in the pants for those sort of small-minded little Englanders, to be honest.
"It’s funny because on the one hand I’m pro-European.
"When Brexit happened I was thinking of moving to Scotland. That’s what I felt."
In a further interview with STV Coogan said on independence: "I’ve thought about that quite a lot – if that had happened now, would I think the same way? I don’t think I would.
"The anti-establishment English people look to Scotland and go ‘we need those people’.
"In some ways, I feel like the rap on the knuckles of Scotland leaving (the UK) would be well deserved after Brexit, but that’s not a particularly constructive way of thinking about it."
Coogan, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, Olivia Colman, Rob Brydon, Jo Brand and Helena Bonham Carter all put their signatures to a letter in 2014 urging Scots to remain in the UK.
It read: "The decision on whether to leave our shared country is, of course, absolutely yours alone. Nevertheless, that decision will have a huge effect on all of us in the rest of the United Kingdom.
"We want to let you know how very much we value our bonds of citizenship with you, and to express our hope that you will vote to renew them. What unites us is much greater than what divides us. Let's stay together."
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
