Colin Farrell: I’d rather focus on being a dad than a spokesperson

Colin Farrell has said he isn’t going to become a campaigner to raise awareness for his son’s medical condition - because he’d rather just be a dad.

The In Bruges actor’s five year old son James suffers from Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder which affects his mobility and speech, and after going public about the condition in 2007, Colin told Ireland’s Sunday World newspaper that he’s been approached about organisations wanting to raise awareness about it.

He explained: “We did the story and there was a great response to it.

“I got letters from parents. But then it came around that people wanted me to get involved kind of more full time.

“[US news show] 60 Minutes wanted to do an interview with me and [my son] and I was like, ‘No, I can’t.’

“It’s a tricky one because there are people who want me to be a lot more public with it to raise awareness. But my responsibility as his father, first and foremost, is to take care of him and do what’s best for him.”