The legendary Phillipa Langley, a former Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College student, returned to her old stomping grounds to inspire the next generation of incredible Darlingtonians. 

Nicknamed "King-finder" for her integral and instrumental role in the location and exhumation of King Richard III, Philippa has recently found herself in a new role - as the executive producer of a major motion picture. 

Philippa has been working alongside industry heavyweights such as Steve Coogan, Sally Hawkins and Jeff Pope to produce a film that she calls a "heartwarming and uplifting underdog story" - and had been invited back to her former school to give a talk to film, media, and history students. 

The Northern Echo: Students were keen to chat to Philippa Langley. Picture: Christopher BoothStudents were keen to chat to Philippa Langley. Picture: Christopher Booth (Image: Christopher Booth)

But long before filming started, her affair with public life began in 2012, when she successfully unearthed the remains of King Richard III following extensive research, solving a centuries-old mystery. 

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What really captured the public's imagination, though, was the coincidence and seemingly psychic circumstances that lead to the researchers locating his body - ironically next to a huge 'R' painted onto the tarmac. 

Talking to students, Philippa recounted her battle to find the body of the King: "The first time I went into that carpark in Leister, I had this intuitive feeling - and I knew that this was where his body was. That was when my focus changed from his life to his death."

As someone who had not been through bachelor's and PhD programs, many dismissed Philippa as an overenthusiastic amateur, or as someone infatuated with a long-dead king. 

"I was working against the weight of history - so many of the historical sources said that his body had been thrown in a river - but I knew he was underneath the tarmac."

The Northern Echo: QE students packed the room to hear what Philippa had to say. Picture: Christopher BoothQE students packed the room to hear what Philippa had to say. Picture: Christopher Booth (Image: Christopher Booth)

When asked about the impact that going to Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College had on her, Philippa said: "It was huge - it's really Northern to say 'don't give in, don't give up'. That principle put me in good stead for the search."

Explaining her admiration for Richard, Philippa said: "Today, we still have rights that he gave us - he fought for ordinary people like you and I. The Shakespearian, theatrical Richard III people know, and historical Richard III are different people."

The students of QE proved to be intelligent and cerebral in their questioning, with the history, mystery and scandal clearly activating their imagination and intellect.

About the students, Philippa said: "You can really see the talent in this generation. They were asking me amazing questions and were really drilling down into everything."

The Northern Echo: Philippa Langley recounted her incredible tale. Picture: Christopher BoothPhilippa Langley recounted her incredible tale. Picture: Christopher Booth (Image: Christopher Booth)

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Philippa is not done cracking history's mysteries - not only is she working to exhume another king (Henry the I) from another carpark (in Reading Prison), but she is also working out what happened to the Missing Princes. 

This is not due to be Philippa's final brush with Hollywood either - currently, she was working on the screenplay for Richard the III's historical story: "With Richard's life, the fact really is stranger than fiction, and it is now the right time for his story to go on the big screen."

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