Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson ‘split from his jewellery designer girlfriend’ before Class A drug charges

Paul Anderson has reportedly split from his jewelry designer girlfriend, Steph Clark.

The Peaky Blinders star, known for his role as Arthur Shelby, called it quits on their romance before being charged with shock drugs, according to The sun.

Paul, 46, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and amphetamine after spending the day in a pub on Boxing Day in London.

A source told the publication: ‘Paul and Steph broke up a while ago and long before he got into trouble with the police.

‘She is busy with her life and wishes him only the best.

The Peaky Blinders star, known for his role as Arthur Shelby, called it quits on their romance before being charged with shock drugs, according to The Sun

‘Paul has had a tough time, but those around him are confident he will get back on his feet.’

Paul and Steph, who run a gemstone business in London, kept their relationship out of the spotlight and never spoke publicly about their romance.

The TV star was with a friend and a baby when police found the Class A drug and a pipe used to smoke it.

Paul admitted possessing it, as well as Class B amphetamines and two Class C prescription substances when he appeared in court in January.

The makers of The Peaky Blinders, which stars Oscar nominee Cillian Murphy as Anderson’s on-screen brother Tommy, are working on a feature-length climax but the conviction could have a “significant impact” on the film, a source said at the time.

“(Screenwriter) Steven Knight is still writing the script,” the source said. ‘But this belief will cause enormous problems, because it will be so difficult to make a Peaky Blinders film without such a central character, while it will be difficult to have him reprise the role as if nothing had happened .

“The third option would be to cancel the whole thing. I think the best chance is that it will go ahead and only Steven will know which characters will be playing.”

Paul was caught after having a drink in a pub in Hampstead, north-west London. He told the pub manager he smelled crack cocaine fumes coming from the disabled toilet after the actor walked away.

The Peaky Blinders star, known for his role as Arthur Shelby, reportedly called off their romance before being charged with shock drugs, according to The Sun

The pub’s manager called police, who found ‘intoxicated’ Paul nearby with a young man and a 17-month-old baby, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.

He was taken to a police station where officers found the crack cocaine, a packet of brown powder that turned out to be amphetamines, plus diazepam and pregabalin, prosecutor Kevin Kendridge said.

Paul, who also appeared alongside Tom Hardy in the Kray Brothers’ 2015 biopic Legend, responded ‘no comment’ to all questions during his interview, but later tested positive for opiates and cocaine – and not crack cocaine – the hearing heard court.

He pleaded guilty to the four drug charges during the hearing.

He spoke only to enter guilty pleas and confirm his identity and address at a £1.2 million stable block in north-west London.

He recently reassured concerned fans that he is ‘back to work’ after photos of him looked sloppy.

Paul recently pleaded guilty to cracking cocaine and amphetamine possession after spending the day in the pub on Boxing Day in London

Moira MacFarlane, defending, said when Peaky Blinders fans recognized Paul he couldn’t resist getting into the role of boxer Arthur, who often takes drugs on the show.

“You will recognize the defendant from a very intense role he played in a recent television programme,” Ms MacFarlane told magistrates.

“He is often recognized and does his best to please fans of the show by delving into his character. He was recognized on Boxing Day and tried to stand up for these people. And because of the lifestyle he leads, people often give him incentives.”

Ms MacFarlane insisted Paul, who was fined a total of £1,345, had not smoked crack cocaine, but admitted: ‘He was in an unfortunate position and should have had the strength to say no.’

In January, it emerged that producers were investigating his behavior on set following a complaint from a colleague. It is not known what the complaint related to, but sources close to Paul denied any wrongdoing and told The Sun he was confident an investigation would clear him.

Paul, who recently starred in the Netflix film Lift, is expected to play a central role in the Peaky Blinders film, which is set to begin production this summer.

Set in Birmingham between the two world wars, the drama follows the rise of the Shelby criminal family.

MailOnline contacted Paul Anderson’s representatives for comment at the time.

He recently reassured concerned fans that he is back to business