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Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson has shared a video opening up about his ‘struggles’.
The 46-year-old played Arthur Shelby in the BBC drama, starring Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, which wrapped up its sixth and final series in 2022 but is now returning for a film.
In recent years, Anderson has hit headlines after claims of misconduct following a complaint from a colleague – which he has denied – and pleading guilty after being found with crack cocaine in January.
He previously addressed concerns about his appearance after worrying fans, explaining that he was pictured looking dishevelled after being ‘flattened by the flu’.
And he’s now been inundated with support in a motivational video about dealing with the struggles he says he continues to suffer with.
In a video captioned ‘There’s no story without struggle’, Anderson told his followers: ‘Just like you, search inside, find it for yourself, overcome the struggles, the tribulations, the pain that you are feeling.
‘Because there is no story without struggle.
‘Take it from me, I have struggled, and I struggle today, the same way you do, and we deal with it.
‘If I can help you deal with your struggles, then let’s do it together, let’s make this the first of many conversations, because you can’t do it on your own, you need help.
‘And I will say this one more thing to you, you can help others, in turn, it will help you. It’s called service.
‘So turnaround my friend, look for somebody else who also is suffering, and hard as you may find it, help them, because you’ll find it helps you more, believe it or not.
‘Remember this, we are amazing. You are unbelievable.’
Anderson was showered with support in the comments, with @chl0b0 writing: ‘Stay strong!’
‘Take care mate we are here for you,’@annalindasick added.
@godskk said: ‘So great to hear someone like you talk about struggles. Being a fan of yours, i really Thank you for doing this. I hope you are well brother.’
In January, Anderson was fined £1,345 for possession of drugs after being found with a selection of substances in a Hampstead pub on Boxing Day 2023.
According to Mail Online, police were called after a pub manager discovered what he believed were crack cocaine fumes coming from the disabled toilet after Anderson had walked out of it.
The actor was reportedly taken to a police station where crack cocaine, amphetamines, diazepam and pregabalin were found.
He later admitted to possessing class A drug crack cocaine, class B amphetamines and two class C prescription substances.
However, in court his lawyer is reported to have claimed his client had not been smoking crack cocaine and reportedly said: ‘You will recognise the defendant from a very intense part that he has played in a recent television programme.
‘He is often recognised and does his best to please fans of the show by slipping into character.
‘He was recognised that Boxing Day and tried to play up for these people – and because of the lifestyle he leads, people often give him inducements.’
He pleaded guilty to the four drugs charges at the hearing, and was fineda total of £1,345, with his lawyer insisting that he had not been smoking crack cocaine.
Anderson has also held roles in 2015 film The Revenant, in various episodes ofTop Boy, and starred inDoctor Whoand Silent Witness.
He has yet to confirm whether he will be reprising his role for the upcoming Peaky Blinders film adaptation, which has been confirmed by Oppenheimer star Cillian and creator Steven Knight, vowing it would be ‘explosive’.
Cillian said: ‘It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn’t finished with me.
‘It is very gratifying to be recollaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version ofPeaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.’
Steven added: ‘I’m genuinely thrilled that this movie is about to happen. It will be an explosive chapter in thePeaky Blindersstory. No holds barred. Full-onPeaky Blindersat war.’
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Peaky Blinders is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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