Steve Coogan blamed for Owen Wilson's drug spiral

Coogan's former lover Courtney Love yesterday said his hard-living party lifestyle had drawn in the actor and helped accelerate his downward spiral into drugs and depression.

Wilson, 38, has been recovering in hospital after reportedly slashing his wrists and taking a cocktail of pills on Sunday, apparently devastated over his break-up with actress Kate Hudson.

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Steve Coogan arriving in Los Angeles after a stay in Hawaii. The British comedian has been blamed by his former lover Courtney Love for the apparent suicide attempt of Owen Wilson

Owen reportedly went on a three day drug bender before his suicide attempt

Miss Love, 43, who had an affair with Coogan after he moved to the U.S. three years ago, said: "Under normal circumstances I would not comment but I care too much about Owen.

"I went through it with Steve. I was just out of rehab and he was right there with the drugs.

"I tried to warn Owen. I tried to warn his friends. I hope from the bottom of my heart that Owen stays the hell away from that guy."

Wilson has allegedly been battling an addiction to cocaine and heroin as well as struggling with depression. Rows about his wild ways were said to have contributed to the break-up with Miss Hudson two months ago.

While they were dating Miss Hudson, 27, reportedly banned visits from Wilson's friend Coogan, whose real life persona is a world away from his frumpy TV character Alan Partridge.

Wilson's friends have privately placed the blame for Owen's problems squarely on Coogan, who has battled his own demons.

The comedien, who starred alongside Wilson in several films, has admitted to drug-taking and being a serial womaniser - traits which his new friend has also been accused of.

Wilson's circle of friends became so concerned about him that some - including former Cheers star Woody Harrelson - tried to intervene.

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Love, 43, had an affair with Coogan after he moved to the U.S. three years ago

Love, spotted stepping out for a shopping spree in Rodeo Drive, has reportedly received threatening letters from Coogan's lawyers following her claim

Owen Wilson and comedian Steve Coogan appeared in the film 'Night at the Museum' together

Harrelson encouraged him to take a break from his party lifestyle at his home in Maui, Hawaii.

A source told US magazine: "He went to Maui to kick his habit and was like a baby on the couch."

Santa Monica police recorded his apparent breakdown on Sunday as an attempted suicide. The actor was yesterday being watched round the clock by doctors at Cedars Sinai hospital in LA.

Yesterday he pulled out of filming for the movie Tropic Thunder directed by his friend and Starsky and Hutch co-star Ben Stiller.

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New love: the picture that is rumoured to have tipped Owen Wilson over the edge

Kate Hudson with her new boyfriend Dax Shepard and her son Ryder earlier this month

The film is already six weeks in production and is just one of a number of projects the actor had been due to work on over the coming months.

Coogan, 41, who was also due to work on tropic Thunder, said the allegations he was implicated in the suicide attempt were: "unfounded, unhelpful and hurtful to all concerned."

Wilson first met Miss Hudson while filming You, Me and Dupree.

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Ex factor: Kate Hudson was seen leaving the set of her new film in tears after hearing of Owen's suicide attempt

Their six-month affair ended her marriage to Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson and led friends to hope he would give up his playboy ways - to little avail.

But the actor was said to be devastated when she was pictured, shortly after their split, cuddling her new boyfriend, comic actor Dax Shephard.