Ex-Directory telephone number....?

We have chosen to have our landline telephone number ex-directory because of some very strange calls. Problem is when we ring out people tell us they don't answer the phone because it says "Number witheld". Is there a number we can put before we dial out to friends and relatives.Ex-Directory telephone number....?
No there is not. I had the same problem.

I worked for BT, this was a common problem.Ex-Directory telephone number....?
No answers.