Hollywood actor who fought Brad Pitt set to open 'traditional chippy' in Halifax

Adam ‘Foggy’ Fogerty, 51, who has kissed Helen Mirren and fought Brad Pitt, is set to open his chip shop, on Gibbet Street, on Tuesday naming it after his daughter Summer Heywoods.

Father-of-two Mr Fogerty, who is best known for his role as Gorgeous George in the 1999-hit film Snatch, has taken over the ‘chippy’ from its predecessor Bob Kemp, who ran the business for 52 years but sadly died in July.

Originally from Halifax, Mr Fogerty said: “I grew up opposite Bob’s chippy in the Golden Lion pub.

“I fell in love with fish and chips because of him.

“My parents made a deal with Bob that they wouldn’t sell fish and chips if he didn’t sell alcohol.”

After professional careers in acting, boxing and rugby, Mr Fogerty revealed his reasons for taking over the business.

“I’m going back to my roots,” said Mr Fogerty.

“I’ve had some great life experiences and met some amazing people, but Halifax is home.”

The chip shop on Gibbet Street will be Mr Fogerty’s second business after running Harry Heywoods, on Manchester Road, Linthwaite.

Now with his businesses in check, Mr Fogerty looked back at his ‘lucky’ careers in sport and acting.

He said: “Rugby was great because I got to play for my hometown, and I enjoyed boxing too but it was a lonely sport.

“Becoming an actor is where I’ve my best memories.

“In my first ‘job’ as an actor I starred in The Power of One with Daniel Craig - we hit it off, I remember playing football with him between takes.

“It was great to work with other ‘big actors’ too. In Stardust, I met Robert De Niro, who was definitely my favourite actor to work with.

“Brad Pitt was great too, and I felt he was such a down-to-earth person - I’ve been very lucky.”

Going forward, Mr Fogerty said he will get involved with acting jobs as and when they turn up, but his main focus is his chip-shop venture in Halifax.

“What I’m offering the public is a traditional service.

“No kebabs or burgers, just good old fashioned fish and chips - obviously with pies too.”

Tributes to Bob Kemp

Mr Fogerty has provided tribute to the chippy’s former owner Bob Kemp, 78, who sadly died in July.

Mr Kemp, who ran his chippy on Gibbet Street for 52 years, died after his battle with cancer.

The former Hollywood actor said he owes his love of fish and chips to Mr Kemp, who worked serves traditional meals to the public with his wife Rita, who also sadly died in 2016.

Mr Fogerty said: “They’re the reason why I want to keep this chippy a traditional one.

“I want them and their amazing service to be remembered.”

Originally from Sunbury-on-Thames, Mr Kemp died on July 13.

His son, Robert Kemp said: “Dad was talkative and got on with anybody. He always had time to talk to people.

“He had a good sense of humour and was outgoing.

“He loved the people of Halifax, embraced Yorkshire life and was treated very much as a local man.

“Me and my brother grew up with Adam in the 1970 and 80s.

“When he put in the offer to buy I was over the moon.

“I even turned down slightly higher offers in favour of Adam’s knowing that it was going to somebody that knew the history of the business.

“Adam like my dad is a friendly outgoing person.

“I’d like to thank all of his customers over the 50 years and wish Adam and his family all the success for the future.”