Steve Coogan's television production company has swung back into profit, new financial records reveal, in the period leading up to the settlement of a major High Court defamation claim.
Financial Turnaround for Comedy Powerhouse
Baby Cow Productions Ltd reported a pre-tax profit of £358,628 for the financial year ending 31 March 2025. This marks a significant recovery from the pre-tax loss of £374,081 it recorded for the previous 12-month period.
The company, which Coogan co-founded with Henry Normal back in 1999, also saw a healthy increase in revenue. Filings at Companies House show turnover grew from £1.9 million to £2.6 million over the same year.
Baby Cow is renowned for a string of iconic British comedy shows, including the original series of Gavin & Stacey, The Mighty Boosh, and Coogan's own Alan Partridge projects. It is now majority-owned by BBC Studios, though Coogan retains a minority stake.
Defamation Claim Settled Over 'The Lost King'
The accounts were published following the resolution of a High Court action related to the 2022 film The Lost King. Coogan, who co-wrote the screenplay, along with Baby Cow and co-producer Pathe Productions, settled with Richard Taylor, a former University of Leicester official.
Mr Taylor, who was deputy registrar at the university during the discovery of King Richard III's remains under a Leicester car park in 2012, sued over his portrayal in the film. The court ruled that the depiction was indeed defamatory. In October 2025, it was announced that all parties had reached a settlement.
As part of the agreement, Mr Taylor received what were described as "substantial damages." The film will now carry a clarifying message at its start, and the specific comments found to be defamatory will not be repeated.
Outcome and Moving Forward
Mr Taylor had argued that the film, in which he was played by actor Lee Ingleby, made him appear "misogynistic" and "weasel-like." The settlement brings the legal matter to a close.
The financial resurgence of Baby Cow Productions demonstrates its ongoing commercial strength alongside its creative output, which also includes films such as Philomena and Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa. The company's return to profitability provides a stable footing as it moves past this legal chapter.
