Martin Freeman cuts a dapper figure as he goes for a walk with son Joe, 14, and daughter Grace, 11, in London amid the coronavirus pandemic
The country is on a nationwide lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.
And Martin Freeman, 48, was spotted on a rare sighting with his son Joe, 14, and daughter Grace, 11, on Monday as they got in some exercise by going for a walk in London.
The Sherlock star – who shares his two children with ex-partner Amanda Abbington – cut a dapper figure as he chatted to the youngsters while strolling through the relatively empty streets of the capital.
Getting some fresh air: Martin Freeman, 48, was spotted on a rare sighting with his son Joe, 14, and daughter Grace, 11, on Monday as they got in some exercise by going for a walk in London
Martin wrapped up against the chilly weather in a brown shirt and a navy hooded jacket, teamed with jeans as he meandered down the High Street with his family.
The father-of-two looked every inch the silver fox with his face left unshaven, and blue-lens sunglasses shielding his eyes.
The actor co-parents his two children with ex Amanda, following their split in 2016 after 16 years together.
Looking good: Martin wrapped up against the chilly weather in a brown shirt and a navy hooded jacket, teamed with jeans as he meandered down the High Street with his family
Martin’s outing came after he made the surprise revelation that he’d previously smacked his two children and called them ‘little f*****s.’
Speaking during the promotional tour for his new series Breeders, the Hobbit star admitted that he’d physically punished his children on two occasions, despite then-partner Amanda banning smacking in the house.
‘I know I’m not supposed to do it, but there are so many images about how (parenting) all just has to be brilliant that it makes people feel bad,’ he said in a candid interview with The Sunday Times.
‘Because it’s not brilliant. I mean, it is – it’s the best thing I’ll do. But that doesn’t mean it’s not really hard. This idea you only ever rationalise with a toddler?
Family time: The Sherlock star – who shares his two children with ex-partner Amanda Abbington – cut a dapper figure as he chatted to the youngsters
‘Genuinely, good luck. If you could do that, God go with you. Amazing. I’m not proud I did that, but I have. I don’t think it’s a policy. And I’ll do it again!’
It is illegal to smack children under The Children Act 2004 unless it amounts to ‘reasonable punishment.’
The NSPCC has called for a complete ban on smacking, saying that it only gives children a bad example on how to handle strong emotion, may encourage bullying, and could cause them to lie or hide feelings in order to avoid the punishment.
Scotland became the first country in the UK to ban smacking in 2019, and Wales will outlaw smacking by 2022 following a vote in the country’s Assembly.