Defamation case: Rush says he may have called co-star 'yummy'

Geoffrey Rush has said in court that he might have told a co-star she looked "yummy" but he's denied doing it while licking his lips and putting his tongue out.

Geoffrey Rush says he might have told a younger co-star she looked "yummy" when they were working a Sydney theatre production, but denies doing it while licking his lips and sticking his tongue out.

In Sydney's Federal Court on Wednesday, Rush said it was possible he described Eryn Jean Norvill as yummy during rehearsals for the Sydney Theatre Company's 2015-16 production of King Lear.

"I might have, yes," he said.

"Yummy has a spirit to it because we are about to go into - most of our scenes together are going to be very dramatic and harrowing, this is a good start," Rush said.

Australian actor Geoffrey Rush (left) arrives at the Federal Court in Sydney on Wednesday. Source: AAP

The Oscar-winning actor was being cross-examined by barrister Tom Blackburn SC at his defamation trial against The Daily Telegraph's publisher, Nationwide News, and journalist Jonathon Moran.

He's suing the Sydney newspaper and journalist over articles about an allegation he behaved inappropriately toward a co-star - later revealed to be Norvill - during a Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016.

Rush, 67, denies the allegation and argues the paper made him out to be a pervert and a sexual predator.

Nationwide News and Moran are pleading a defence of truth in the trial and Norvill - who didn't speak with Moran for the articles - has agreed to give evidence.

Rush on Wednesday denied a suggestion by Mr Blackburn that he would tell Norvill she looked yummy and scrumptious while licking his lips, sticking out his tongue and making groping gestures before her torso.

He also denied deliberately touching Norvill's breast during a scene where he was carrying her.

The trial continues.