The second eldest of four children (his elder brother is Con Coughlin, the journalist and author) he was educated at Christ's Hospital in Horsham, leaving to read law at Queen Mary College, London.
The second eldest of four children (his elder brother is Con Coughlin, the journalist and author) he grew up in Upminster, Essex. At the age of 11 he won a scholarship to Christ's Hospital in Horsham, leaving to read law at Queen Mary College, London.