Crowe storms out of BBC interview

Russell Crowe swore and stormed out of a BBC interview after he was accused of making Robin Hood sound Irish in his latest film.

The New Zealander was questioned about the accent on Radio 4 by interviewer Mark Lawson.

Crowe, 46, took offence to suggestions that there were hints of Irish in his portrayal of the Nottingham legend in the movie Robin Hood that was released on Wednesday.

The star said: "You've got dead ears, mate - seriously dead ears if you think there's an Irish accent."

Lawson then asked Crowe if the accent was meant to be northern. Crowe replied: "No, I was going for an Italian ... missed it? F*** me."

The actor then walked out of the interview after Lawson asked whether it was true that he wanted to say his famous line from Gladiator: "I'll take my revenge in this life or the next."

Crowe can then be heard muttering, "I don't get the Irish thing, by the way. I don't get it at all."

The actor has been criticised for the accent he has given Robin Hood in the film.

He has claimed in some interviews that he was seeking a Yorkshire accent because several academics believe the outlaw was from there, and not Nottingham.

Crowe has been involved in a number of verbal and physical altercations which have earned him a reputation as a Hollywood bad boy.

When part of his appearance at the 2002 Bafta awards was cut out to fit into tape-delayed broadcast, he used strong language during a row with producer Malcolm Gerrie.

Later that year, he got into a punch-up with New Zealander Eric Watson, co-founder of Hanover Finance, in the toilets of a London club.

Infamously, in June 2005 in New York, he was arrested after he threw a phone at a hotel concierge who refused to help him place a call when the one in his room did not work. The worker suffered cuts to his face.

Crowe was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.