Hollywood star Russell Crowe walked out on a BBC Radio 4 interview after being riled by accusations that he had made Robin Hood sound Irish.

Tough guy Crowe, 46, swore after presenter Mark Lawson suggested that hints of his accent did not sound English.

The actor has already faced concerns from critics about the accuracy of his speech.

Questioned on arts show Front Row about whether the Irish tinges were deliberate, he snapped: "You've got dead ears, mate. You've seriously got dead ears if you think that's an Irish accent."

As Lawson reiterated that there were only "hints" of Irish, Crowe responded: "Bollocks."

The Gladiator star continued to talk about the background of the character but then returned to the accusation, adding: "I'm a little dumbfounded you could possibly find any Irish in that character - that's kind of ridiculous, but it's your show."

Debate has raged for many years about whether the historical figure could be claimed by Nottingham or Yorkshire as he has become an important source of tourist income.

Trying to pin him down, Lawson asked Crowe whether the voice was supposed to be from northern England.

The Oscar-winner hit back: "No, I was going for an Italian - missed it? F*** me."

Voice coaches for the production have said previously that they were aiming for an accent closer to Rutland, which is south east of Nottingham in the East Midlands.

After failing to answer a question about whether he had not wanted to deliver a famous line in Gladiator - also directed by Robin Hood film-maker Ridley Scott - he got up to leave, saying: "I don't get the Irish thing, by the way. I don't get it at all."