Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:  Newsflash

German actor Ulrich Matthes – best known for playing Joseph Goebbels in the hit film ‘Downfall’ about Adolf Hitler’s final days – has slammed Brexit as a “pile of sh*t”.

While admitting that he “loves British people”, the 60-year-old actor is apparently sad that the UK left the EU on 31st January, beginning a transition period that is set to end on 31st December 2020 when both sides will negotiate their future relationship.

The UK currently remains subject to EU law and parts of the EU customs union and single market during this period, but is no longer part of the EU’s political bodies or institutions.

However, Matthes told German media: “Despite being a huge fan of the Brits I have to say this whole Brexit thing is a pile of sh*t!”

The ‘Downfall’ star said that he still “hopes” that Britain may reconsider its departure “because I love British people”, however the UK appears unwilling to extend the current year-end deadline due to the COVID-19 crisis.

On 16th April, Boris Johnson’s Europe Adviser and Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe, David Frost, tweeted: “As we prepare for the next Rounds of negotiations, I want to reiterate the Government’s position on the transition period created following our withdrawal from the EU.

“Transition ends on 31 December this year.

“We will not ask to extend it. If the EU asks we will say no.”

On 24th April, Frost tweeted that the UK’s Brexit team had just taken part in “a constructive Round 2 of negotiations with” Michel Barnier.

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