Actor Tommy Flanagan has revealed he is planning to move back to Scotland following Donald Trump’s triumph in the US elections.
The actor, who has starred in TV and movie roles such as Gladiator, Peaky Blinders and Sons of Anarchy, is one of dozens of Hollywood stars who say they are leaving the US having been appalled by a lurch to the right in the US.
Tommy, 59, said: “It’s time to come home. I want to come back here. I’ve been away too long.
“I think it’s time to move back to Scotland. I’ve been in the US for over 25 years and it’s time to come home, especially after Trump getting back into the White House.”
The star, who is married to his wife, Dina and has a daughter, Aunjanue, 12, says he wants to come back to live and work in Scotland having spent over a quarter of a century making films and television. in the US.
He told The Record: “I’m based over there and my home is over there. It’s time to get away from that Trump. I don’t want to say I want to leave America because of him but it’s not made me want to stay, put it that way. It’s disgusting so we’ll see. If I start talking about it I’ll go f***ing mental. But it’s not good.”
He added: “I don’t feel I’ve been gone that long to be honest with you, I really don’t.
“Home is California at the moment and it has been for over 25 years.
“I was on my way back years ago and then my daughter came along and she was born over there though she is Scottish. I want to bring her over here.”
Tommy, who was born in Easterhouse, suffered distinctive facial scarring when he was younger as a result of knife attack outside a nightclub where he had been working as a DJ.
After leaving the club he was attacked by a gang as they attempted to rob him.
While recovering in hospital from serious injuries his friend, Robert Carlyle, persuaded him to try acting.
He later found fame in Mel Gibson’s 1995 film Braveheart and took a role in Lynne Ramsay’s Ratcatcher. He also played Cicero opposite Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix in Ridley Scott’s 2000 film Gladiator.
Other roles include Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, Alien vs Predator, The Game and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.
He is probably best known for his role as outlaw biker Flip ‘Chips’ Telford in the crime drama TV series Sons of Anarchy from 2008 – 2014.
Having arrived in Glasgow at the weekend to present his pal, casting director Des Hamilton, with an Outstanding Contribution to Craft award at a star-studded BAFTA Scotland awards, Flanagan also revealed he has signed up to begin filming Guy Ritchie’s latest project.
Lock, Stock & Two Barrels and The Gentleman director Ritchie has enlisted him to join a star-studded cast that includes Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Tom Hardy for The Associate, a London-based gangster series The Associate which will air on Paramount+.
Tommy said: “I just got back to present an award to my best pal Des Hamilton for Outstanding Contribution to Casting. He’s a phenomenal guy. He’s been a friend of mine the past 40 years. It’s a pleasure to be that and to be in my hometown.
“I’m about to start something with Guy Ritchie and Tom Hardy. I start that in December and I’ve a few things next year.
“They haven’t put any press out yet so I won’t talk about it. Big Des is casting it, of course he is. He gets all the good stuff.
Tommy, who is back in the UK filming The Associates from next month, said: “I‘m here to give the award to my pal Des and
“I’m back to work here and what I want to do and bring my daughter over here as soon as possible.
“She is a big Celtic fan like her father and she’s proud to be Scottish.
“She doesn’t know what she wants to do yet. She’s a wee fashionista at the moment with baggy sweaters and big jeans and all that. She thinks she knows everything. She’s great.
“I will be in Scotland. I think I’ve been gone long enough.”
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