Laurence Fox has accused black and working-class actors of only choosing to complain about bias in the entertainment industry once they have become famous.
The 41–year-old argues it is ‘annoying’ that black and working-class actors only speak out on these issues when they have earned a certain amount of money.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by right-wing commentator James Delingpole, he said: ‘The most annoying thing is the minute a black actor – it’s the same with working-class actors – the minute they’ve got five million quid in the bank, every interview they do is about how much racism is rampant and rife in the industry.
‘And with working class actors, “There’s not enough working class actors”. You weren’t saying that when you didn’t have a f*****g pot to p**s in were you?’
He also argued that white people could potentially become a minority.
‘I’ve got nine nephews and nieces and none of them are white,’ he went on. ‘So, it’s not like we’re dealing with a world where the white man is going to be around for that many more generations.’
These comments notably came following a controversial appearance on BBC One’s Question Time last week, during which he claimed that being called a ‘white privileged man’ is racist, and defended the media against calls of racism towards Meghan Markle.
Laurence ended up clashing with an audience member who argued that the Duchess of Sussex was the victim of racism, saying: ‘The problem we’ve got with this is that Meghan has agreed to be Harry’s wife, and the press have torn her to pieces.
‘Let’s be really clear about what this is, let’s call it by its name, it’s racism. She’s a back woman and she has been torn to pieces.’
‘It’s not racism. No it’s not,’ he responded. ‘We’re the most tolerant, lovely country in Europe.
‘It’s so easy to throw the card of racism at everybody and it’s really starting to get boring now.’
The audience member then replied: ‘What worries me about your comment is, you are a white privileged male who has no experience in this’ – and Laurence did not take too kindly to this comment.
Laurence then said: ‘I can’t help what I am. I was born like this, it’s an immutable characteristic so to call me a white privileged male is to be racist, you’re being racist.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Lawrence for comment.
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