Laurence Fox took to social media to slam former wife Billie Piper’s ‘outright lies’ after she claimed co-parenting their two sons was ‘enormously difficult’ amid the controversial actor and activist’s numerous scandals.
Billie, 41, who shares Winston, 12, and Eugene, eight, with the ex-GB News host finally broke her silence on the toxic split in a new interview with British Vogue, six years after their divorce.
Following its publication, Laurence accused Billie of being untruthful in a lengthy social media post and said while ‘not being perfect’, he’d done his best to put his children first.
He previously spoke about their parenting arrangement in 2022, claiming his ex was using their children as ‘weapons’ and that he’d been denied access to seeing them.
Laurence has now also accused Billie of taking him to court ‘over a dozen times’ since their split, making them both spend money which should be ‘going towards their children’s futures’.
Laurence Fox took to social media to slam former wife Billie Piper ‘s ‘outright lies’ after she claimed co-parenting their two sons was ‘enormously difficult’
Billie, 41, who shares Winston, 12, and Eugene, eight, with the ex-GB News host, finally broke her silence on the toxic split, six years after their divorce (pictured together in 2014)
Laurence accused Billie of being untruthful in a lengthy social media post and said while ‘not being perfect’ he’d done his best to put his children first (pictured 2013)
Laurence Fox tweeted three laughing emojis in response to a comment poking fun at Billie Piper’s interview in Vogue
He wrote: ‘The reality is that not all marriages work out and the world isn’t perfect.
‘I do however take great exception to the assertion that co-parenting with me is enormously difficult.
‘I have never tried to deny our boys access to their mum and I would never wish her anything other than a stable family.
‘My only focus these past years has been to be present in their lives and be a loving dad. I’m not perfect, but I’ve done my absolute best to put the kids first.’
Laurence also claimed that ‘secretive’ family court systems were ‘totally unfit for purpose’ due to being ‘hugely weighted towards the mother’.
has contacted Billie Piper’s representatives for comment.
When asked during her British Vogue interview how she navigates co-parenting Billie shared: ‘With enormous difficulty.’
She continued: ‘I close everything down and keep a very strict routine with the kids so that there’s consistency. I keep them close. That’s all I can do…
‘What is paramount for me is the privacy and anonymity of my children. They deserve not to be extensions of the parents and to forge their own identities.’
Billie first met Laurence in a theatre rehearsal room in 2006, they went on to marry a year later – she was granted a ‘quickie’ divorce from him in 2016 (pictured in 2012)
Billie tries to avoid hearing anything about her ex, who has hit headlines in recent weeks for a slew of controversies (pictured on their wedding day in 2007)
Billie added she tries to avoid hearing anything about her ex, who has hit headlines in recent weeks for a slew of controversies.
He was recently dropped from GB News after launching into a ‘sexist’ rant about a female journalist and lost a high profile libel case after calling two men ‘paedophiles’.
Yet Billie does her best to avoid being drawn into his scandals, explaining: ‘I try to keep people from telling me stuff but it’s really, really hard.
‘I don’t read it but everyone wants to talk about it. Sometimes I have to say to people: “Please don’t bring this to me, now or ever.”‘
Yet she confessed she isn’t the best person to ask about Laurence, saying: ‘Look, if people want to try and understand the workings of the guy, they ought to either ask him or his family.
‘Ask [Fox’s brother-in-law, actor and comedian] Richard Ayoade what he thinks, or his wife [Fox’s actor sister] Lydia. They might have a more interesting take.’
Laurence previously confessed in a Sunday Times interview that he had fallen out with his brother-in-law, half-Nigerian comedian Richard, after his controversial race rant on Question Time.
Billie pointedly said that Laurence’s sister Lydia and her husband Richard Ayoade (pictured in 2012) would have a better take on the activist
Laurence previously confessed that he had fallen out with his brother-in-law, half-Nigerian comedian Richard, after his controversial race rant on Question Time
Appearing on the BBC panel show in 2020 he accused Rachel Boyle, an academic at Edge Hill University on Merseyside, of ‘being racist’ after she called him ‘a white privileged male’ for denying the Duchess of Sussex was hounded from Britain for being mixed-race.
After his controversial statements, Laurence revealed his half-Kuwaiti girlfriend of five months, Sara McKinnon dumped him and caused tension with Richard.
Laurence said: ‘[Richard] was furious. He told me I have never encountered racism. I 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.’
He revealed Richard didn’t attend Sunday lunch at their house for a few weekends, as a result of their feud but they have since become friends again.
While Billie didn’t want to spend her entire interview discussing her ex-husband she admitted: ‘Of course I have feelings on that, I’m not dead inside.’
READ MORE: Billie Piper ‘humiliated’ as she discovers Laurence Fox was ‘wooing another woman’ during their marriage
Billie added: ‘I’ve had to make some choices and a divorce speaks for itself… or at least it should! You have to laugh because it’s a lot. It’s a good way of kind of soothing yourself.’
Despite discussing the difficulties of Laurence, she revealed there has been a ‘positive’ in their divorce and custody battle.
She reasoned: ‘It’s made me feel stronger in many ways. I’ve learnt I have a lot of resilience I didn’t know I had.
‘I’ve had to learn the hard way that you can only control yourself and how you react to things. It’s really f***ing hard. I hate that.’
Billie first met Laurence in a theatre rehearsal room in 2006 and they tied the knot the following year when she was 25.
It was her second marriage, following her controversial union with DJ Chris Evans, whom she wed when she was 18 and he was 35 – yet Billie has no bad words about her first husband, labelling him ‘one of the good guys.’
Most recently she was dating singer Johnny Lloyd but the couple quietly separated last year after eight years together. They share five-year-old daughter, Tallulah.
There seems to be no bad blood between the pair, with Billie labelling Johnny ‘a very good man’.
She confessed in her Vogue chat her late 20s and early 30s were a period of unrest for her and she felt ‘unhinged and mentally not well’.
Billie recalled: ‘There was something very, very sobering about that time and letting go of people that weren’t very healthy for me. Unfortunately, a lot of that has been in relation to men I suppose.’
She tied-the-knot with Laurence in a low-key parish church ceremony on New Year’s Eve in 2007, after a few drinks in the local pub.
They were married in a 50-minute ceremony at a village church near their £750,000 home in Eastbourne, West Sussex, with the actress wearing a formal, low-cut wedding dress in ivory with a flash of pink.
At the time of their split, they stated their intention to ‘co-parent their children with the utmost mutual respect for each other’ (pictured in November 2013)
In 2022, Laurence brought their custody dispute back into the public eye when he accused Billie of denying him access to their children
It was Billie’s former husband Chris and his new wife, Natasha Shishmanian, that made the guest list somewhat unusual.
The presenter was also the first person to visit the newly-married couple’s home, with the trio chinking glasses in a cordial toast before Chris drove to his own country pile, just a few miles away.
Laurence and Billie went on to welcome two sons.
In 2010, Billie spoke about their marriage, admitting they had aimed for ‘thespian couple’ ideal of only one person working at a time.
Yet she confessed: ‘But we’ve failed at that already – we’re so selfish, we couldn’t even make a year.’
Billie added the pair had also invested in a place in London as well as their cottage in West Sussex, as she’d begun to feel isolated, admitting: ‘It was getting a bit “Sylvia Plath” down there.’
In 2016, the pair confirmed they had separated after eight years of marriage, and insisted that ‘no third parties involved’ in their split.
A post on his official Facebook account at the time read: ‘Laurence Fox and Billie Piper have separated. No third parties are involved. For the sake of our family we request and appeal for space and privacy at this time.’
The pair were granted a ‘quickie divorce’ in a court ruling that took just 50 seconds, citing unreasonable behaviour.
The actress, was not present when her request for a decree nisi from the actor was granted on the grounds that the marriage had ‘irretrievably broken down’ on the grounds of his ‘unreasonable behaviour’.
See the full feature in the April issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday, 19 March (pictured: FKA twigs on the March cover)
At the time of their split, they stated their intention to ‘co-parent their children with the utmost mutual respect for each other’.
But between 2016 and 2017, Laurence and Billie then became embroiled in a lengthy custody dispute over access to their children.
The proceedings concluded in the Family Division of the High Court in December 2017 and Laurence previously claimed that they drained his finances.
The actor said that he’d been forced to put his career on hold so that he could help their children cope with the aftermath of the split.
Speaking in January 2018, he said: ‘I was certainly in a very dark place at one point – at my lowest ebb. I almost felt like I couldn’t go on. It all felt so hopeless.
‘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.
‘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.’
After his court proceedings, Laurence started campaigning to transform the family court system, which he described as ‘unnecessarily adversarial’.
At the time, he said: ‘Actually I feel really sad. The process didn’t need to be so long, drawn-out and adversarial.
‘And ours was quick, because we have cash. I feel the children have been robbed of their young lives. It’s been half of Eugene’s life.’
Billie’s first controversial union was with Chris Evans, whom she wed when she was 18 and he was 35 – yet Billie has no bad words about her first husband, calling him ‘one of the good guys’
In 2022, Laurence brought their custody dispute back into the public eye when he accused Billie of denying him access to their children, alleging that he has not been able to see or speak to his eldest son Winston on his 14th birthday.
He penned: ‘It is [my son’s] birthday tomorrow and his mother has denied him any access to see or speak with me, I am using my platform to highlight what child alienation does to families. Kids need both parents.
‘Don’t be the parent who refuses to let their sons speak to their dad, especially on their birthday. Don’t be that parent. Put children first. Don’t use them as weapons.
‘It is so bad for kids. Child alienation needs to be talked about openly, along with all other child abuse.’
But Twitter users were quick to hit back at his allegations and accused him of using his children as ‘weapons’ – which he accused Billie of – by sharing the ranting post.
From Billie Piper’s booze-fuelled marriage with Chris Evans to bitter divorce battle with Laurence Fox… the star’s complicated relationships as she ‘splits from her boyfriend of eight years Johnny Lloyd’
It’s unlucky in love again for Billie Piper as she has reportedly split from her boyfriend Johnny Lloyd after eight years together.
The former Doctor Who star, 41, and the singer, 38, who share five-year-old daughter, Tallulah, decided to end their romance after lockdown had a major impact on their relationship, according to The Sun on Sunday.
It’s not the first relationship to seemingly turn sour for the actress; she’s been divorced twice and involved in a bitter custody battle with her ex Laurence Fox.
She famously married her first husband Chris Evans back in 2001, after dating for six months, aged just 18, with the 16-year age gap between the pair sparking controversy.
So, amid reports that the end of Billie’s relationship to Johnny was ‘very sad’ and they are ‘better off apart’, FEMAIL takes a look at the star’s complicated relationship history…
CHRIS EVANS
Describing her first marriage to Chris Evans (pictured, left), Billie Piper, (pictured, right) said she got ‘completely hammered for three years’ with him
Fans of Billie Piper were shocked when it emerged that she and Chris Evans had tied the knot in a casual Las Vegas wedding in 2001 – with just six guests.
The couple has only met a year earlier when she appeared on his TV show TFI Friday in 2000 – the next day, he sent a £110,000 Ferrari filled with roses to her home (she couldn’t drive at the time).
She was just 18, when she wed Chris who was 16-years old her senior, sparking controversy.
The duo married in a secret Las Vegas ceremony at the Little Church of the West for which she wore flips flops and a sarong. The groom was equally casual, donning an open-necked shirt.
An 18-month sabbatical followed as the couple travelled the world, before settling at Chris’ country estate in Hascombe, Surrey.
The couple split three years later in 2004 and the divorce was finalised in 2007, they remained on good terms with Billie likening the marriage ‘to being in your university years’.
She did not request a single penny of his estimated £30million fortune, and although citing irreconcilable differences on their divorce papers, they remained close afterwards.
Billie previously recalled how she got ‘completely hammered for three years’ with her ex-husband when she was feeling burnt out from her teen pop career.
The couple (pictured) seemed to enjoy their relationship and continued to be friends after they divorced
PLAYFUL: While fans of the celebrities were shocked when the two tied the knot, the two have spoken fondly of each other on many occasions
The couple (pictured together in London in 2001) got hitched in 2001 then divorced just three years later in 2004
Speaking on David Tennant Does A Podcast With… in 2020, Billie said she had an ‘amazing time’ with Chris and described the relationship as ‘very loving.’
And when Billie had a public ‘meltdown’ in 2006, it was no surprise that it was her estranged husband to which she turned.
Suffering from stress over her forthcoming stage debut in the intense emotional drama Treats, she was seen making a teary mobile phone call close to the rehearsal rooms where final preparations were being made for the play’s opening night.
Minutes later, Chris appeared, accompanying her to a pavement café where he tenderly held her hand as she sobbed uncontrollably.
MATT SMITH
Billie Piper and Matt Smith pictured in London in July 2016
After her marriage broke down, Bille Piper was seem looking cosy with Matt Smith, who played Doctor Who – three years before he scored the role.
Meanwhile, Billie played the Time lord’s famous assistant since its 2005 revival, while he was an unknown actor propelled to fame when chosen to star in the BBC series.
Pictured holding hands at a Surrey fete in 2006, the pair stroll together through the crowd, drinking Pimms and enjoying the sunshine.
At this point, the two actors had just been reunited on the set of ITV2’s Piper vehicle, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, in which Smith had a minor role. They had previously worked together on BBC drama The Ruby in the Smoke.
Although Smith and Piper never announced they were officially a couple, a friend who was with them on the day they visited the fete says their chemistry was unmistakeable.
‘They were very touchy-feely and seemed really at ease with each other,’ they said. ‘Everybody assumed they were a couple by the way they were acting.’
The friend added that the two actors did not go unnoticed by the crowd. ‘A lot of people were talking about how good they looked together,’ they said.
‘They were definitely having a great time. Obviously everyone knew who Billie was – but Matt wasn’t at all famous then. It’s amazing to think he has gone on to star in Doctor Who.’
LAURENCE FOX
Billie Piper married Laurence Fox in 2016, a year after they met in a dressing room
Reason: The actress, was not present when her request for a decree nisi from the actor was granted on the grounds that the marriage had ‘irretrievably broken down’ on the grounds of his ‘unreasonable behaviour’ (pictured in 2012)
THEATRE: While the relationship between the two did not last, they shared a love of theatre, and are pictured in theatres in 2015 (left) and 2013 (right) together
Chris Evans was not Billie’s only husband – she also was married to Laurence Fox, who was famous for coming from an acting dynasty, and now for his political commentary work.
Billie first met Laurence in a theatre rehearsal room in 2006, they went on to marry a year later – she was granted a ‘quickie’ divorce from him in 2016.
She tied-the-knot with Laurence in a low-key parish church ceremony on New Year’s Eve in 2007, after a few drinks in the local pub.
They were married in a 50-minute ceremony at a village church near their £750,000 home in Eastbourne, West Sussex, with the actress wearing a formal, low-cut wedding dress in ivory with a flash of pink.
It was Billie’s former husband Chris and his new wife, Natasha Shishmanian, that made the guest list somewhat unusual.
The presenter was also the first person to visit the newly-married couple’s home, with the trio chinking glasses in a cordial toast before Chris drove to his own country pile, just a few miles away.
Laurence and Billie went on to welcome two sons, Winston, 12, and Eugene, eight.
However, the pair confirmed they had separated after eight years of marriage in 2016, and insisted that ‘no third parties involved’ in their split.
A post on his official Facebook account at the time read: ‘Laurence Fox and Billie Piper have separated. No third parties are involved. For the sake of our family we request and appeal for space and privacy at this time.’
The couple looked much happier at different points in their relationship, with Billie beaming in this image taken at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in 2014
Troubles: But between 2016 and 2017, Laurence and Billie then became embroiled in a lengthy custody dispute over access to their children (pictured in 2010)
The pair were granted a ‘quickie divorce’ in a court ruling that took just 50 seconds, citing unreasonable behaviour.
The actress, was not present when her request for a decree nisi from the actor was granted on the grounds that the marriage had ‘irretrievably broken down’ on the grounds of his ‘unreasonable behaviour’.
At the time of their split, they stated their intention to ‘co-parent their children with the utmost mutual respect for each other’.
But between 2016 and 2017, Laurence and Billie then became embroiled in a lengthy custody dispute over access to their children.
The proceedings concluded in the Family Division of the High Court in December 2017 and Laurence previously claimed that they drained his finances.
Actor Laurence revealed that he’s been forced to put his career on hold so that he can help their children cope with the aftermath of the split.
But rather than throwing himself head-first into his work, he’s had to become a full-time father to his two children.
Meanwhile Billie – who shares sons Winston, 12, and Eugene, eight, with her ex-husband Laurence Fox – told The Guardian: ‘I know about dysfunctional relationships. I know about what it costs to be a woman.’
JOHNNY LLOYD
Billie Piper (pictured, right) has split with Johnny Lloyd (pictured, left) according to the Sun on Sunday
HAPPIER TIMES: The former couple pictured together in 2019 before they ended their relationship
Now Billie Piper has reportedly split from her boyfriend Johnny Lloyd after eight years together.
The former Doctor Who star, 41, and the singer, 38, who share five-year-old daughter, Tallulah, decided to end their romance after lockdown had a major impact on their relationship.
Sources told The Sun on Sunday that the end of their relationship was ‘very sad’ and they are ‘better off apart.’
A source told the publication that Billie and Johnny actually split last year.
They said: ‘It’s obviously very sad that the couple have gone their separate ways.
‘But the relationship ran its course and they decided they would be better off apart. Like many couples, lockdown was quite tough for them, so they have had time to really think about what they want their future to look like.
‘They will always treasure the time they had together and have many happy memories.
‘Now they are concentrating on co-parenting their daughter and their separate careers.’
Johnny and Billie attend the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show together in May 2023 in London
has contacted Billie’s representatives for a comment.
Former Doctor Who star Billie was previously married to DJ Chris Evans, who is 17 years her senior, and actor-turned-political activist Laurence Fox, 45, with whom she has two sons.
Billie and Johnny welcomed their daughter Tallulah in January 2019 after it was confirmed in July 2018 that Billie was expecting her first child with the rocker.
A source told the Mirror at the time: ‘Billie and Johnny are delighted. They can’t wait to welcome the new addition to their family.’
She revealed she would love to have more children back in February, 2018, admitting: ‘In my dream world I’d have loads.’
RITCHIE NEVILLE
Billie’s first ‘celebrity’ boyfriend could be said to be 5ive’s Ritchie Neville (pictured). The two dated from 1998-2000)
One of Billie’s lesser-known loves (though a seminal relationship of the late 90s) was her pairing with Ritchie Neville.
The heart throb from boyband 5ive lasted a whole two years, with the teens getting together in 1998 then sadly ending their liaison in 2000.
At the time, Billie was seriously famous, after being offered a record contract in 1998 at the age of 15.
That year, she became the youngest artist to debut at number one in the UK Singles Chart.
Her record, Because We Want To, was released under the stage name Billie. It was followed by her next single Girlfriend, which also debuted at number one.
Meanwhile, 5ive, Richie’s band were not quite as successful: they debuted their first single Slam Dunk da Funk in 1998 at number 10.
It wasn’t really until after 2000, when Ritchie and Billie broke up, that the boyband became more successful.