Coogan pays tribute to George Carlin

Rex Features

Steve Coogan has spoken of his admiration for US comic and actor George Carlin, who passed away on Sunday.

Talking to MTV News, Coogan explained that Carlin's controversial style was "inspirational".

He said: "The kind of maverick, sort of anti-establishment comedy that's come out of America is very well-recognised in Britain, and his comedy was in the great tradition of that, of not toeing the line, sometimes saying controversial things, but ultimately being sort of life-affirming.

"In some ways, comics like that are almost like inspirational teachers. I think that's why there's so much adulation now in his passing."

Coogan added that Carlin had the ability to "reveal something that's truthful about what it is to be a human being".