A controversial Essex-based former actor has taken to social media in his first statement since the by-election result was declared.
Laurence Fox, leader of the Reclaim Party and best known for playing Det Sgt James Hathaway in ITV crime drama Lewis, announced his plans to run in the Clacton by-election on social media shortly after Mr Farage stepped down.
Posting on X in response to news that Mr Farage intended to re-stand as Clacton MP , he wrote: “Clacton is my backyard. I will be standing against Nigel Farage in the constituency.”
Mr Fox was one of 34 candidates on the ballot paper, receiving 347 votes.
On X, he said this morning: "I DEMAND A RECOUNT!
"I was robbed!"
I DEMAND A RECOUNT!
I was robbed! https://t.co/wWsiRx6AUZ— Laurence Fox (@LozzaFox) August 14, 2026
In the end, the former actor received the fifth highest vote count behind the likes of Nigel Farage and Count Binface who were the frontrunners.
Who is Laurence Fox?
The 48-year-old, who lives in Peldon has appeared in numerous television programmes, plays and films from 2001 onwards.
He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London which provides training for theatre, film, television and radio.
His most notable role was in the 2006 ITV crime-drama series Lewis as Det Sgt James Hathaway, which was the sequel to Inspector Morse .
In his personal life, Fox married actor Billie Piper in 2007 before they divorced in 2016.
In 2019, he played the role Lawrence of Arabia in the historical-drama film Born A King .
The actor launched the political Reclaim Party in October 2020 after appearing on BBC Question Time in January that year.
According to the party’s website, Fox set up the party after realising “freedom of speech was under grave peril”.
Fox was fired from GB News in October 2023 after an on-air rant about journalist Ava Evans.
He could face trial in 2027 over allegations he shared a compromising photo of a TV personality on social media.
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