T2 Trainspotting actor Bradley Welsh dies after shooting

 

A man who starred as a gangland figure in Trainspotting 2 has been shot dead in Edinburgh.

Bradley Welsh, 47, who also appeared in an episode of Danny Dyer's Deadliest Men, was killed in an incident in Chester Street.

Armed officers were sent to the city's west end at about 20:00 on Wednesday.
One resident said he was told someone had been shot in the head and people were instructed to stay indoors as the street was cordoned off.

Police later confirmed officers had responded to reports of a disturbance and that a seriously injured man died at the scene.
Mr Welsh starred alongside Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, and Robert Carlyle in T2 Trainspotting, playing the gangland figure Mr Doyle.

Author Irvine Welsh paid tribute to "his beautiful friend" on social media.
Writing on Twitter, the Trainspotting writer said: "Bradley John Welsh, my heart is broken. Goodbye my amazing and beautiful friend. Thanks for making me a better person and helping me to see the world in a kinder and wiser way."

In Danny Dyer's Deadliest Men on Bravo in 2008, Mr Welsh described himself as a "born leader".
In the programme he discussed his past as a Hibs Casual football hooligan in the 1980s.

'I thought I was Don Corleone'

He talked about how he "mobbed and robbed" and was involved with organised "smash and grabs" at stores, including Jenners in Edinburgh.

He later became involved in organising security at hundreds of clubs in Edinburgh.
He told the programme: "I was 17 years old, just turning 18, and I thought I was Don Corleone.
"I thought this is it, I can do whatever I want. I was fearless. I was being perditious to people, overpowering people - it was a kick."



However, the boxer later became involved in charity projects in Edinburgh, including helping young people to stay away from a life of crime through his Holyrood Boxing Gym.
He was reportedly a former British ABA lightweight boxing champion.



Resident Alasdair Morton said armed police sealed off the area from Walker Street to Manor Place as someone had suffered a "gunshot wound to the head".

Mr Morton, 46, said: "I came out the house and we were told to go back in. Around three police cars and a black van drove along the street and the traffic then stopped.

"I initially thought it was a police escort then when I had a look there must have been a dozen or so police with guns pushing the traffic back.

"We've not been told anything but police waved through some ambulances.
"They said 'there's a gunshot wound to the head somewhere'. We could still hear noises that suggested there was a situation still going on."

A woman, who did not want to be named, was in her flat across the road from the incident when she heard a "massive bang".

She added: "I was in the kitchen and heard a bang. I ran through to my boyfriend and said 'what was that?', because it sounded a little bit weird.

"Then there were loads of SWAT teams - the police were here super-quick."

Extra patrols

Images emerged on social media showing the road had been cordoned off.
On social media one man described Welsh as a "huge character" in Edinburgh.

He said: "Devastating news about Brad Welsh tonight, a huge character in Scottish amateur boxing and the Hibernian support and someone who contributed a great deal to society through his charitable work and boxing gym. RIP



A police spokesman said: "Police in Edinburgh received a report of a disturbance in Chester Street at around 8pm on Wednesday 17th April.

"On arrival of emergency services a man was found seriously injured and sadly passed away at the scene.
"His death is being treated as suspicious and inquiries are continuing."



He added that officers would "continue to provide a high-visibility presence in the area to engage with the public, offer reassurance and gather information that can assist with this investigation".
The spokesman added: "Anyone who believes they have any relevant information should contact police immediately."