Laurence Fox opens up about being "unable to go on" during custody battle with ex-wife Billie Piper
Laurence Fox opens up about the time when he contemplated suicide. Speaking to Daily Mail, the actor revealed that the custody battle with his ex-wife Billie Piper was a stressful situation in which he faced anxiety attacks and insomnia. Laurence split from 35-year-old Billie in March 2016 and divorced her two months later but what he was most concerned was having kids, sons Winston, nine, and six-year-old Eugene next to him.
The couple cited "unreasonable behavior" as the reason behind their separation but that did not stop the actor from fighting for his kids. Talking to the tabloid, Laurence revealed that he had been at the lowest point in his life during the custody battle. "I almost felt like I couldn’t go on. It all felt so hopeless," he said. "I understand why some men feel so hopeless they commit suicide and find themselves lying on the train tracks."
The custody battle had a huge impact on the actor not only for financial reasons but for the emotional rollercoaster ride he was on. "With divorce, you immediately lose half the time you'd spend with the kids. That in itself is a mental health crisis. But, like everything, these feelings pass and you start to feel stronger with every day," he said while adding that divorce is a hard thing for men to face.
"Men no longer feel comfortable talking about relationships, and for the men who bottle it, it can be disastrous – they end up throwing themselves off buildings," he revealed. But luckily for Laurence, he had the support of his close friends and family members that helped him through his difficult time. "Fortunately, I have the greatest friends in the world and the most wonderful family. Just the thought of my gorgeous kids made me realize there was a life to be lived," he said.
"If I'd backed down, things would have been different. I understand why some men feel so hopeless they commit suicide and find themselves lying on the train tracks," he added. While the couple had a rough time during their separation, they gradually understood that they should put their kids first. Despite all the difficulties he faced, he does not blame Billie.
He instead blames the “flawed” legal system which tries to find blame in divorce cases. The pair was married for eight years before they announced their split. A post on his official Facebook account read: 'Laurence Fox and Billie Piper have separated. No third parties are involved. For the sake of our family, we request an appeal for space and privacy at this time." The pair had ended things in good terms and Laurence enjoys his share of time with his kids.