Laurence Fox quits Twitter saying he’s become 'more and more depressed' since Question Time appearance

Laurence Fox has taken an extended break from social media, saying he had become “shocked” and “depressed” by messages he's received from fellow Twitter users.

The actor, 41, was thrust into the limelight following a row on BBC Question Time, in which he accused a mixed-race university lecturer of “racism” for branding him a “white privileged male”.

The row sparked a heated online debate, with acting union Equity branding Fox a “disgrace to our industry" as Piers Morgan said “the real world cheered him on.”

But on Monday night, the 41-year-old announced the backlash had got too much for him in an emotional 13-part statement in which he pointed to the “deadly consequences” of society’s so-called “cancel culture.”

The Twitter thread read: “I'm going to take an extended break from social media. I'd like to say a couple of things. First of all, a huge thank you to all of you who have followed me throughout my career and travelled vast distances to come and see me on stage, be in acting or singing.

“Since my appearance on question time and the ensuing hubbub, I have had nothing but support on the street, from people of all backgrounds and political view points. In the weird and lonely days that followed that appearance, your kind words have lifted my spirits. Thank you.

“But privately I have been becoming more and more depressed. I have been so shocked by some of the things said to me on these platforms and I have found some of it very hard to process. I think it's important to stand up to bullies and that is why I have continued to do so.

“But I find that I wake up in dread of what's to come. I'm a fairly private if opinionated person and it's been very painful and difficult to cope with. However I also believe in passionately in free speech. I stand wholeheartedly by people's right to express themselves.

“But I am fearing for my future and my ability to provide financially for my children. A thought that keeps has kept me awake most nights. People tell me it will blow over, but when you are in it, it doesn't feel like it will.

“I expressed an opinion, which I stand by and I don't believe is controversial. As a result Equity UK called (amongst other things) for actors to denounce me. This has been very hard to deal with, given that members weren't polled before these tweets were sent out...

"I love my job. I am so blessed to have been fortunate enough to make a career out of it and I have met some of the best people and made such great friends whilst working as an actor. The thought of that being taken away saddens me more than I can say.

"I think we need to learn to listen to each other better. I am learning this all the time. I believe that pushing people to the edge of their ability to remain emotionally ok through cancel culture can and does have deadly consequences…

"I know that in order for me to be ok I have to turn this noise off for a while. We all have feelings. We all have hopes and dreams. We don't have to agree. We just have to respect that we are all different and we all deserve a chance to speak freely.

"We all have privilege too. All of us. Whatever colour or creed. The richest and the poorest. Some see it. Some don't. Some have more than others. Billionaires have bad days and beggars have good ones. I've spent time with both and I know it to be true.

"I wish you ALL all the best. I hope the loudest voices are the ones that come from love and truth. I hope that those who feel hate can be encouraged to find the love around them.

"For me, I'm going to go back to reading more books. There is so much I will miss about Twatter, but on balance, I don't think I need it half as much as I enjoy it.

“I'll probably be back on in ten minutes taking the p*** out of Lily Allen!

“Thanks for reading. Loz x”

A number of Twitter users responded by calling him a “hypocrite” and accusing him of “spreading hatred himself.”

However, others urged him to stay online, expressing concern for his mental health.

Piers Morgan issued his own response calling out the “PC-crazed virtue-signalling mob” for "hounding" the actor.

He tweeted: “'Laurence Fox hounded off Twitter for daring to challenge the virtue-signalling mob.

“The repulsive abuse & threats these shameless "liberal" (*illiberal) hypocrites spew out on here to anyone who refuses to sign up to their PC-crazed world view is disgraceful.”

He ended with what appears to be a reference to a statement made by Caroline Flack before she took her own life, writing: “But hey…#BeKind.'”

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