British Actor Laurence Fox To Quit Twitter

The actor and singer has been on the receiving end of social media vitriol since he accused Rachel Boyle of racism on BBC talk show 'Question Time.' Boyle an academic at Edge Hill University, called Fox 'a white privileged male' during a debate about Meghan Markle and the media's role in the royal split.

Fox defended free speech and was shocked by the social media backlash. He took to Twitter Monday to announce his intention to take a break from social media.

He wrote,

"A thread. 1 - 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 @EquityUK 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 piss out of Lily Allen! 

Thanks for reading. Loz x."

Indeed as Fox acknowledged, social media history is filled with stories of talking heads and celebs who dramatically announce they're quitting only to log back on the next day or week or month.