After being fined for possessing drugs that included crack cocaine, Peaky Blinders actor Paul Anderson has spoken out. Anderson, who is known for playing Arthur Shelby Jr. in the BBC crime drama, pleaded guilty to four charges at the Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on January 25. These charges included possession of class A crack cocaine, class B amphetamines, and two class C prescription substances. This led to speculation from fans after he had recently shared a photograph of himself that appeared to suggest he was unwell.
However, the actor has now provided an update in the form of a picture of himself on the set of upcoming TV series The Gray House. Anderson added a comment through Instagram to reassure fans, stating “Back to business and back on set today. Thank you for all your love and concern to everyone. I was and have been absolutely flattened by the flu”. The actor also thanked his fans around the world for their support and reassured them that he was back.
According to prosecutor Kevin Kendridge, Anderson was discovered with the substances on Boxing Day after police responded to a call about crack cocaine fumes in a toilet in a pub in North London. The police found Anderson intoxicated with a young man and a 17-month-old baby nearby. He was taken to a police station, where they found crack cocaine, a wrap of brown powder found to be amphetamines, and diazepam and pregabalin. Anderson’s lawyer, Moira MacFarlane, told the court that he is often recognised in public and that people do their best to please fans of the show. However, she added that he should have had the strength to say no.
The actor has been fined a total of £1,345 following the incident. Peaky Blinders, which came to an end in 2022 after six series, may not be the end of the story for the franchise, though. Creator Steven Knight recently announced that the show’s cinema version should begin filming in 2024. Knight is still working on the final bits of the script and called the process like having a dream, stating that he sits down and all of the content comes to him
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