Ioan Gruffudd, known for his role in Fantastic Four, testified in court on Monday at the start of his trial with his ex-wife, Alice Evans. He described his distress over being publicly accused of being a ‘child abuser, pedophile, and drug addict’ in her social media posts.
The 52-year-old actor said it was deeply upsetting to see inaccurate stories circulating, especially as a father. He began what is expected to be a difficult nine-day court case today, seeking to extend a restraining order against Evans, 57.
While Evans was in court, looking at text messages and quietly talking to her lawyer, Gruffudd described a series of instances where Evans allegedly harassed and abused him, detailing how she:
- Threatened to destroy him and his career by ‘Amber Hearding’ him (referring to Johnny Depp’s bitter break up with actress Amber Heard);
- Hired a private detective to follow his new wife, Bianca Wallace;
- Threatened him with physical violence;
- Falsely claimed that he had been cheating with Wallace for three years before his marriage to Evans ended;
- Threatened to accuse Wallace of a ‘false crime so that she would be deported’
Gruffudd told the court he was upset and frustrated to receive a text message from his ex-wife soon after he filed for divorce, in which she stated she would spend her life battling him.
I was absolutely devastated hearing him talk about this. He shared how she not only deeply hurt and embarrassed him, but also threatened to completely destroy his career. She actually texted him, saying he’d end up broke and begging if he didn’t do what she wanted – it was just awful to hear.
In his social media posts, he claimed she falsely accused him of terrible things – specifically, of sexually abusing children, being a pedophile, and struggling with drug addiction. He also said she portrayed him as someone dangerously obsessed with sex, drugs, and young people.
I was deeply worried about the damage it could do to my reputation and career. I felt a mix of sadness, frustration, and powerlessness. It also put a strain on my relationship with my kids.
‘I was very upset because I had been very generous in my support for the children and for Alice.’
On Monday, while testifying, Gruffudd described receiving a text message in April 2021 – shortly after filing for divorce – in which his ex-wife stated she would spend her life battling him. He shook his head and winced as he recalled the message, noting he was wearing a dark blue suit and tie during his testimony.
He said he was deeply upset and embarrassed, and that she had previously threatened to sabotage his career, telling him, ‘You’ll never work as an actor – you’ll end up begging for money.’
He claimed Evans was deliberately trying to damage his career by spreading a false story. Evans, wearing a navy and white striped blouse that seemed to be on backwards and with her blonde hair in a bun, remained largely expressionless while sitting in court.
In social media posts, he claimed she falsely accused him of terrible things, including being a child molester, pedophile, and drug addict. He stated she also claimed he was behaving erratically due to sex, drugs, and an obsession with millennials.
I was incredibly scared about how this would affect my reputation and career. I felt deeply sad, frustrated, and powerless… it even put my relationship with my children at risk.
‘I was very upset because I had been very generous in my support for the children and for Alice.’
Gruffudd explained to the court that Evans was so angry with him after their breakup that she refused to negotiate a settlement. Instead, she demanded they sell their house so she’d have money to pursue legal action against him.
She said it was too late to change course, and I was completely overwhelmed. I felt terrified and anxious, because she was jeopardizing my job, my future, and my ability to support my kids.
He said was ‘terrified when Evans sent him a video that contained ‘ a threat of physical violence.
In court, he stated that Evans directed hateful language towards Bianca Wallace as well. He shared that Alice had hired a private investigator to look into Bianca, and that Evans fabricated a story about Gruffudd being unfaithful for three years leading up to their divorce filing.
Gruffudd claims Evans fabricated a story about their breakup, even pretending to be upset during a TV interview. He says she texted him immediately after the show, asking if he wanted to continue the deception, proving it was all an act.
I was really upset by how far she went to put me and Bianca down, and it left me feeling powerless.
I worried she would damage my reputation and create a major public scandal, potentially even bigger than the one surrounding Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The thought of that happening really frightened me.
He explained that Evans had said she planned to falsely accuse Bianca of a crime, which would result in Bianca’s deportation.
He recounted another instance where she criticized his parenting skills, telling him he had no idea how to raise children, and threatened to call the police if he came to visit their daughters.
He stated that while dropping off his daughters after a visit, his ex-partner, Alice, started yelling at him, making threats, and falsely accusing him of something.
She threatened to ruin my life, comparing it to what happened to Amber Heard. Then, she told her daughters that if their father ever made them feel uncomfortable or unsafe physically, they should tell her.
She began to scream and shout swear words, becoming incredibly aggressive and losing control. The whole experience was deeply upsetting and disturbing.
Gruffudd and Evans separated in 2021 and their divorce was completed in 2023. Since then, they’ve been involved in a difficult and ongoing dispute about finances and their two daughters, Ella, 16, and Elsie, 12.
He claims his former partner, age 57, has harassed him and his wife, Wallace, 33, for the past five years. They welcomed a daughter in November.
He’s requesting the court extend the restraining order against Evans, which he and Wallace originally obtained after accusing her of stalking and online harassment.
Gruffudd claims Evans fabricated a story about infidelity and pretended to be upset during a TV interview. He says she texted him immediately after the show, asking if he wanted to continue the deception, proving it was all an act.
Honestly, it really upset me to see her go so far to tear me down, and the way she was talking about Bianca was just awful. I felt completely powerless in the situation.
I worried she would damage my reputation and create a major public scandal, potentially even bigger than the one involving Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The thought of that happening really frightened me.
He reported that Evans texted her, claiming she planned to fabricate a crime committed by Bianca, which would lead to Bianca’s deportation.
He recounted another instance where she criticized his parenting skills, telling him he had no idea how to raise children, and warned she would call the police if he came to see their daughters.
Evans claims he is not currently harassing Gruffudd and is requesting that the judge reject Gruffudd’s petition for a new restraining order.
She states she’s struggling financially and is asking the court to require her ex, Gruffudd, to increase the $1,500 monthly spousal support and the $3,000 monthly child support he provides for their two daughters. He alleges that their mother has turned the girls against him, causing a strained relationship.
He’s asking to end his spousal support payments, claiming Alice has repeatedly abused him and violated a previous restraining order against her.
Gruffudd claims he’s already paid his ex-wife, Evans, far too much in spousal support – around $400,000 more than he should have.
On February 17th, both sides were given a last opportunity to resolve their long-standing and hostile dispute before the trial began.
The hearing concluded without any agreement, as both sides remained firmly committed to their positions, according to the Daily Mail.
The two parties have met several times for court-ordered mediation, and while they resolved some disagreements, they remain stuck on two key issues.
After their attorneys reported that previous attempts to resolve the issues had failed, Judge Convey encouraged Gruffudd and Evans to remain respectful and avoid an overly contentious trial.
The judge advised them, ‘You have good lawyers – let them help your family.’
‘We don’t need drama. We need to concentrate on the best interests of the children.’
Documents related to the February 17th court hearing show the situation has become critical after a series of problems over time.
According to Gruffudd, Evans has been abusing him and Wallace for five years, even after a three-year restraining order was put in place against her. Wallace recently gave birth to Gruffudd’s daughter, Mila, in November.
Evans refutes the claims against him and is fighting the restraining order, stating that they lack both logic and believability.
She maintains that her recent social media posts weren’t harassment, but simply personal updates about her life and what’s happening with her.
Evans has shared that she’s facing financial hardship, explaining that she and her daughters were evicted due to unpaid rent. She says she’s had to sell her designer clothes and start a GoFundMe campaign simply to afford groceries.
Gruffudd disagrees with Evans’ version of events, stating she intentionally got herself evicted to falsely portray herself as financially struggling. He believes she did this to damage his reputation and pressure him into paying more financial support than he’s able to.
He claims Evans earned over $130,000 last year and believes Alice is fully capable of supporting herself with her skills, as there are many jobs she could do full-time.
Gruffudd claims he earns around $575,000 each year, but his ex-partner argues he was actually making closer to $588,000 before they separated.
She claims he almost never spends time with their daughters, but he insists she is the reason for that.
He claims Alice deliberately used social media to harm his acting career and, fueled by jealousy towards his wife Bianca, has destroyed the girls’ previously good relationship with their father.
Gruffudd is asking Evans to cover his $43,000 in legal costs from filing the paperwork to extend the restraining order against her.
She refused the request, saying the amount was too high and that she simply couldn’t afford to pay it.
More than 20 years ago, Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans first met while filming the movie 102 Dalmatians. Their on-set connection blossomed into a real-life romance, and they married in Mexico in 2007.
In March 2021, Ioan began divorce proceedings after Alice publicly revealed on social media that he was ending their 14-year marriage. The divorce was finalized in July 2023.
Read More
- eFootball 2026 Jürgen Klopp Manager Guide: Best formations, instructions, and tactics
- MLBB x KOF Encore 2026: List of bingo patterns
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Brawl Stars February 2026 Brawl Talk: 100th Brawler, New Game Modes, Buffies, Trophy System, Skins, and more
- eFootball 2026 Starter Set Gabriel Batistuta pack review
- Magic Chess: Go Go Season 5 introduces new GOGO MOBA and Go Go Plaza modes, a cooking mini-game, synergies, and more
- Overwatch Domina counters
- ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ Trailer Finally Shows What the Movie Is Selling — But is Anyone Buying?
- Brent Oil Forecast
- Channing Tatum reveals shocking shoulder scar as he shares health update after undergoing surgery
2026-02-24 01:21