Laurence Fox ‘dropped’ by acting agent ‘over the phone’ amid controversies
Laurence Fox has been dropped by his acting agent over the phone, he has claimed.
The actor, who has been continually embroiled in controversies throughout the year, said that his former agent's decision "reaffirmed exactly why" he has opted to launch his Reclaim political party.
In September, Fox announced he was launching the party to fight the so-called “culture wars”. The group was described by one Westminster source as “basically a Ukip for culture”.
It has apparently been set up to provide a political movement for people who are “tired of being told that we represent the very thing we have, in history, stood together against”.
“I want to thank my acting agent who let me go on the phone just now for reaffirming exactly why I am doing what I’m doing," Fox wrote on Twitter.
“Still waiting for a single example of anything I’ve ever said or done that could ever be deemed racist. We will reclaim freedom, fairness and common sense.”
The star has been in the spotlight since January this year, when he appeared on the BBC’s Question Time and made headlines for refuting claims that the media’s treatment of Meghan Markle was racially motivated.
He said the row was “boring” and claimed: “It’s not racism. We’re the most tolerant lovely country in Europe.”
In an April interview with The Sunday Times, Fox revealed that his appearance had caused a row with his brother-in-law, the actor, comedian and writer Richard Ayoade, after Fox begged him to support his stance on social media.
Ayoade, who is half-Nigerian, was reportedly furious at this, and told Fox: “You have never encountered racism.”
Laurence Fox is launching his own political party to fight ‘culture wars’
Getty ImagesFox responded: “Yeah, of course I have. I’ve encountered racism from black people towards me, when I was working in Kenya [as a safari driver] for seven months. It’s the way you’re spoken to — racism can be deferential.”
Asked by the interviewer what he meant by the idea that “racism can be deferential”, Fox answered: “This is why you don’t get actors involved in chats like this. Because I’m just not smart enough to do it.”
Fox was initially best known as the star of TV drama Lewis, which ran between 2006 to 2015.
The Independent has contacted Fox’s reps for comment.
Read More
Sister, Sister is back: In praise of the Nineties black sitcom boom
From Brent Cobb to Margo Price – The return of outlaw country
Every John Lewis Christmas advert song, ranked from worst to best
