Laurence Fox, the actor best known for his role in ITV drama Lewis, told today how he once nearly joined the Army as he prepared to play a squaddie in the West End.
Fox, 33, who is married to actress Billie Piper, takes the part of a private who is hospitalised by a bombing in a new production of Our Boys, at the Duchess Theatre from September.
He said: “I was going to join the Army when I was at school so I almost had a similar experience to the young soldier. I went to look at a regiment but I decided it’s not for me.”
Fox, who was expelled from Harrow after an “indiscretion” with a girl at a sixth-form ball, said: “I didn’t do that well at school. At one point I sat down with someone who asked me if I wanted to join the Army. I said ‘yes’ — then I thought about it and changed my mind.”
Instead, he followed his father James and uncle Edward into acting.
Fox, who has played Detective Sergeant James Hathaway in Lewis since the popular TV series began in 2006, said his role in the award-winning Our Boys was “quite a part” and he was “loving” the prospect of acting in front of a theatre audience again.
He was last on stage five years ago when he met and performed with Piper in Christopher Hampton’s Treats.
The couple now have two children, three-year-old Winston and Eugene, who was born in April.
Asked how he balances the demands of parenthood with his career, Fox said: “I think you make sure you put your family first. Everything else fits in.
"We were both out of work when Eugene was born — it was really good timing. I’m starting Lewis again and Billie is working again in November.”
Previews of Our Boys from 26 September with bookings until 15 December. For tickets contact the box office on 0844 482 9672.
