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Steve Coogan is being sued over claims he portrayed university academic as a ‘sexist bully’ in film The Lost King

ACTOR Steve Coogan is being sued over claims he portrayed a university ­academic as a “sexist bully” in a film.

Coogan, 57, co-wrote and starred in 2022’s The Lost King, about the quest to uncover the remains of ­Richard III a decade earlier.

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 24: Steve Coogan attends The Cinema Society & Monkey 47 Host The After Party For Sony Pictures Classics' "Greed" at The Fleur Room at Moxy Chelsea on February 24, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
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Richard Taylor is suing Steve Coogan over his portrayal in film The Lost King, which Coogan co-wroteCredit: Getty
HANDOUT / / THE LOST KING (2022)  Sally Hawkins, Steve , Coogan, Harry Lloyd, ,
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The film is about the quest to uncover the remains of Richard III, and the Leicester University team that uncovered his resting place beneath a car park in the cityCredit: Pathe UK

Now a member of the Leicester University team that located his final resting place beneath a car park in the city is suing the star for defamation.

Richard Taylor said: “I’m portrayed as a bullying, ­cynical, double-crossing, devious manipulator which is bad.

“But when you add I behave in a sexist way and a way that seems to mock Richard III’s disabilities, you get into the realm of defamation.”

Mr Taylor said he tried to get changes but producers refused.

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The University of Leicester said: “We understand the portrayal of Richard Taylor does not resemble the reality during this period.”

Mr Taylor is also suing Pathe Productions and Baby Cow Productions for High Court damages.

The film-makers say they stand by the movie which also stars Sally Hawkins as Philippa Langley — whose quest to find the remains prompted the discovery.

Coogan plays Langley’s husband.

The Sun contacted representatives for Mr Coogan, Pathe Productions and Baby Cow.

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