A comedian and award-winning actor joined Labour campaigners as he made his tenth campaign visit in 48 hours.

Steve Coogan, best known for his character Alan Partridge, joined Harrow East campaigners yesterday afternoon as part of his campaign tour.

Joining Uma Kumaran and the former parliamentary secretary for the cabinet office Tom Watson, Mr Coogan rallied party members in a speech about why he decided to announce his support for the Labour Party.

The party has been criticised for the celebrity endorsement it has received over the past few weeks.

He added: “The Tories are complaining because they can’t find any celebrities to endorse them, so it’s just sour grapes on their part.

“The reason I’m involved is because I’m trying to counter the cartel of largely right-wing press who are trying to dictate the agenda on the behalf of their proprietors.

“I’m no more famous than Tom Watson or David Cameron, and I want to engage in politics because it is my democratic right.”