Inside troubled Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson's chaotic life… from crack cocaine scandal to partying with Tyson Fury

The Sun

03-05-2025

HE plays a sharp-suited gangster in one of the nation's most treasured TV series.
But in real life, Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson - the face of the formidable Arthur Shelby Jr - has been plagued by health fears, rumoured career setbacks and criminal charges.
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Anderson, 46, has hit the headlines - and sparked concern among his fans - in recent years after being pictured looking dishevelled and being caught in possession of crack cocaine.
And now, after pals expressed fears he was on a 'downward spiral', the actor has reportedly gone missing from his £1.2million London home after getting back in trouble with the law.
The 50-year-old, who has a two-year-old son, Bud, has recently been convicted of riding a BMW motorbike without insurance in an affluent part of the capital, according to MailOnline.
The incident, which happened near Lord's Cricket Ground last August, came just months after Anderson smiled beside a state-of-the-art electric BMW bike for an Instagram photo.
'She's a blinder,' wrote Anderson, sharing that he had 'spent weeks' working with BMW to 'customise the release of the highly anticipated vibrantly different and electric CE02'.
The star failed to attend his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court in south-east London in March - where he was found guilty of the charge - amid claims he is now untraceable.
Authorities who are looking into another matter - Anderson's alleged failure to attend a follow-up meeting with a social worker after he pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine in January last year - reportedly can't locate the actor's current whereabouts.
But bizarrely, despite the 'missing' claims, Anderson has just given a rare interview to a local Scottish newspaper ahead of a planned appearance in Dundee in June.
During the interview, the dad made a cryptic comment about the new series of Peaky Blinders - set to begin filming this summer - and revealed his surprise friendship with boxing legend Tyson Fury.
He told The Courier that he'd been 'good friends' with the Gypsy King 'for a while now'.
'Tyson's invited me to a few big fights and I've been out ringside with his excellency watching some of the best boxers in the world,' claimed Anderson.
He added: 'I'm in talks about being an ambassador in Saudi Arabia for boxing.'
Anderson - once a working-class lad who left school at 14 - is beloved for his role in Peaky Blinders, where he stars alongside Oscar winner Cillian Murphy (Tommy Shelby).
Return to the Peaky Blinders
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This week, The Sun revealed that a new series of the hit BBC crime drama will be filmed this summer, with episodes hopefully ready to air in 2026.
The show's sixth series saw the Birmingham gangsters in the 1930s, while an upcoming Netflix film related to the series, which stars Murphy, is set during the Second World War.
The new series is likely to move the cast into the Fifties — an era known for violent mobs of Teddy Boys and the rise of notorious East London ­villains the Kray twins.
A TV insider said: 'The sixth series of Peaky Blinders was supposed to be the last and the movie was meant to be the final farewell for the story.
'But show boss Steven Knight couldn't resist coming back to the story — his most famous creation — and he's been dropping hints he wanted to return to do more.
'The fact that it's been officially green-lit by the Beeb and wheels are in motion on pre- production will be a huge thrill to fans of the show, which was a huge hit for the BBC.'
Amid his troubles, it has been reported that Anderson missed out on filming the Peaky Blinders movie and has been making £150-per-message from personalised Cameos.
But the actor recently hinted at his potential involvement in the seventh Peaky Blinders series.
'There's more to come on that,' he told The Courier, revealing he'd signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). 'There's a movie to come and then there's possible talk on another season. We've all sworn a secrecy thing with that one so I can't really say much.'
Admitting struggles
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Last summer, Anderson opened up about 'struggling' in an Instagram clip - amid concerns from pals that he was on a 'downward spiral' and 'living like he is on another planet'.
He said: "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."
The star, who has previously spoken of battling with self-doubt, continued: "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 turn around 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."
Just weeks earlier, Anderson had been pictured topless near his north London home.
The new dad was seen flashing his chest tattoos in the sunshine, with a green jumper tied around his waist and a lighter in his hand.
Fears for health
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A local shopkeeper, who considered Anderson a friend, told MailOnline at the time: 'It's heartbreaking. He's a mess. But his erratic behaviour is causing real problems.
'He often seems dazed and not with it.'
The shopkeeper claimed Anderson had been arguing with locals and was struggling to walk.
'He looks out of control. It's tragic,' the friend said.
It wasn't the first time the star's look had sparked concern - in February last year, Anderson took to Instagram to reassure his fans after photos emerged of him looking unrecognisable.
In the pictures, he looked worlds away from his suited-and-booted character as he shopped at a London bakery wearing a chunky cream fleece and a leopard print hoodie.
Anderson appeared downbeat, with his complexion pale.
But in an Instagram post, he revealed the reason behind his appearance, writing: "Back to business and back on set today! Thank you for all your love and concern to everybody.
"I was and have been absolutely flattened by the flu."
Last November, Anderson unveiled another look - shaved, bleach-blonde hair, a far cry from the iconic shaved sides and long-on-top style he's known for sporting as Arthur.
The look led disappointed fans to conclude he wouldn't be appearing in the upcoming film.
Trouble with the law
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Aside from Anderson's appearance, his criminal past has worried fans.
The Sun reported in December 2023 how the actor - who has had plot lines involving drugs on Peaky Blinders - was caught with crack cocaine on Boxing Day in Camden.
Anderson, who also starred alongside Tom Hardy in the Kray twins biopic Legend, pleaded guilty to possessing the Class A drug, as well as Class B amphetamines and two Class C prescription substances. He was fined £1,345 after appearing in front of magistrates.
However, according to MailOnline, Anderson then allegedly failed to attend a follow-up meeting with a social worker to determine whether he was at risk of being a drug addict.
'You failed to attend an initial assessment to establish whether you were dependant upon or had a propensity to misuse a Class A drug,' said a court summons from January this year.
Although an arrest warrant was issued, it was reportedly withdrawn several weeks ago because Anderson could not be traced. Scotland Yard told the news site inquiries were ongoing.
Collapsed relationship
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Before he was caught with crack cocaine, Anderson's love life had been dealt a blow, with the actor having split quietly from his jewellery designer girlfriend, Steph Clark.
A source said at the time: 'Paul and Steph broke up a while ago and long before he got into trouble with the police. She's busy cracking on with her life and only wishes him the best.
'Paul has had a hard time but those around him are confident he'll get back on his feet.'
Anderson, who also stars in The Gray House, had kept his relationship with Steph out of the spotlight.
He has done the same with his role as father to toddler Bud - though he gushed this week about the opportunity his son has given him, saying it surpassed any acting job.
'Being a father is the greatest role I've ever had,' he told The Courier.
'It's the greatest part I've ever played.'
The Sun has contacted Anderson's agents for comment.