Paul Anderson, best known for his role as Arthur Shelby in the BBC series Peaky Blinders, has faced a difficult period following his arrest on Boxing Day 2023 for possession of crack cocaine and other narcotics. The 46-year-old actor was seen looking gaunt and aged as he left a bakery this week, sparking concerns about his health and his potential involvement in the upcoming Peaky Blinders film.
Anderson's rise to fame is a remarkable rags-to-riches story. Born in South London, he left school at 14 and worked as a ticket tout, an illegal activity in the UK. His big break came when film director Nick Love spotted him selling tickets outside Chelsea's Stamford Bridge in 2008. Love, a Chelsea fan, was struck by Anderson's gruff accent and offered him a role in the 2009 football hooligan film The Firm.
Since then, Anderson has appeared in Hollywood blockbusters such as The Revenant alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and his close friend Tom Hardy, as well as the Kray biopic Legend. He has also played Arthur Shelby for a decade on Peaky Blinders, a character battling inner demons and addiction, mirroring his own struggles.
Despite his legal troubles and reports of bad behaviour on set, Anderson has shown signs of hope for reprising his role. He responded to a supportive Instagram comment with the word 'Forever'. However, insiders warn that his participation in the Peaky Blinders film, which could start filming as soon as summer, rests on his recovery.
Anderson lives in a £1.2 million property in north London and is believed to be single. His arrest in Hampstead followed a complaint about drug fumes from a disabled toilet in a pub. He faces an uncertain future, but his fans and co-stars, including Cillian Murphy, who has confirmed he would play Tommy Shelby in a film, await his return.
