A pioneering Victorian balloonist is being unfairly written out of history in a new Eddie Redmayne film in favour of a fictitious female character, the Royal Society has complained.

The historic academy says Henry Coxwell’s heroic exploits are being brushed over just so Redmayne can be reunited with his Theory of Everything co-star Felicity Jones in their upcoming movie The Aeronauts.

The record-breaking flight in 1862 nearly ended in disaster as the balloon ascended uncontrollably and its occupants, Coxwell and early meteorologist James Glaisher, began to pass out.

Their lives were only saved when, seven miles above sea level and at -29C, Coxwell climbed up into the rigging to release a trapped valve.