Brian Cox wows BBC viewers as he tears into Nigel Farage and brands him a 'fascist'

Brian Cox branded Nigel Farage "slightly fascist quite frankly" during an appearance on a BBC show over the weekend.

The Succession star, 78, was a guest on Laura Kuenssberg show on Sunday morning, alongside Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Nadine Dorris, former Tory MP.

The three guests watched on as host Laura interviewed transport secretary Mark Harper, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey and leader of Plaid Cymru Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Between interviews, Laura spoke with her guests in the studio and probed them on their political views ahead of the general election next month, with Scottish actor Brian not holding back when it came to Brexit and Reform Party leader Nigel Farage.

Brian Cox on the BBC show with Andy Burnham and Nadine Dorris on Sunday

Brian, who voted Remain in the EU referendum in 2016, dubbed Britain's exit from the European Union as the "demon we don't talk about" and claimed it was "why we are so broke". Conversation then turned to the Conservative Party and the threat of Farage - with Brian declaring: "I really do worry about the Conservatives, I really think Nigel Farage is not doing any good at all.

He continued: "I mean he’s really ruining that party [the Conservatives] and if I was a Conservative voter I would really be worried about what’s happening to my party. I’m not a Conservative and I never will be a Conservative voter, I want to state that first and foremost, but I do worry about his influence and I find him slightly fascist quite frankly."

Host Laura quickly replied: "Nigel Farage was here last week, he's not here this week to defend himself." Those watching the BBC show at home soon took to social media to share their thoughts on Brian's quip. "Gotta love a bit of Brian Cox," one viewer wrote on Twitter (X), "Casually calling Nigel Farage slightly fascist."

"Brian Cox is no politician, which is probably why he was the only person with the honesty to call Nigel Farage the fascist he is on the BBC politics programme just now," another added, with a third agreeing: "Respect to Brian Cox just sneaking in that Nigel Farage is a Fascist #bbclaurak.

However, amongst the praise there was some criticism of Brian's statement, with TalkTV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer claiming: "On @bbclaurak this morning, actor Brian Cox says of @Nigel_Farage 'I find him slightly fascist'. What an utterly ridiculous thing to say. Any suggestions for opinions and policies that could be considered *slightly* fascist...?"

Elsewhere on Sunday's show, Brian voiced his concerns that the Scottish National Party ( SNP ) may not prioritise securing an independence referendum in the upcoming General Election. Discussing the political parties' manifestos, the Dundee-born actor suggested that the SNP "could be backing away from the notion of independence" as it prepares to announce its election pledges. He said: "I don't know if Scotland (has) backed off, but I think that it's something that worries me, because I still... believe in independence."

Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage leaves after delivering a speech, in central London, on June 14, 2024, following the publication of an opinion poll ahead of the UK general election of July 4.

Brian believes that an independent Scotland should remain "part of these islands" and maintain cooperation with the rest of the UK. He added: "I do believe we need a new kind system. I don't believe in the United Kingdom I believe that we should have a sort of united federation with these islands, that each... country should be independent, but come together to support the whole, instead of things being dictated, as we find in Scotland (things are done) on our behalf, that we have very little say."

He also mentioned the referendum where Scotland voted to stay in Europe while the majority of the UK voted to leave. Brian concluded by saying his "main thing is... still the demon that we don't talk about, which is Brexit", before citing economic figures. He furthered his comments by saying: "It seems to me that we are still suffering from that, and we've not done anything about it. So when we talk about other things, we can't really talk in terms of where we are because we are suffering from Brexit."

In response, an SNP spokesperson proclaimed: "As the largest political party and pro-independence party in Scotland, the SNP will continue delivering for people across the country and making the case for a better Scotland with independence. In the face of yet more cuts to public services, Brexit and a cost-of-living crisis, voting SNP at the General Election is a chance for people in Scotland to make their voice heard which is why page one, line one of the SNP manifesto will read 'vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country'."

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