Troubled Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson reflects on his struggles with insecurity and self-doubt – after worried friends claimed the actor was ‘downward spiral’

Troubled Paul Anderson candidly discussed being ‘insecure’ and not ‘believing’ in himself during his successful career.

The Peaky Blinders star, 46, who recently hinted he could star in the upcoming film, took to social media on Wednesday and opened up to his followers.

Dressed in a colorful patterned shirt, Paul returned to his Peaky Blinders roots as he wore a Baker Boy Cap.

The popular actor, best known for his role as hard-living gangster Arthur Shelby Jr in the BBC drama, said in the clip: ‘Dissatisfaction with one’s talent is the fundamental quality of a true artist. That is a statement by a writer named Chekhov.

“So if you’re doubting yourself, welcome to the club, because I can’t act. And every time I do, I wait for a tap on the shoulder that says, “Sorry kid, you’re in the wrong game, go home.”

He continued, “Every true artist feels the same, so what that tells me is that you know what you’re doing. Look it up, Anton Chekhov. I could remember it word for word because it sounded like it when I read it, because I too felt like I didn’t know what I was doing.

‘I struggled with self-confidence, insecurity and self-doubt. These are the fundamental qualities of any true talent.

‘If you think you’re great, you’re wrong, you’re disillusioned. Let other people say that, and then maybe one day you’ll believe it yourself.’

It comes after Paul teased he will appear in the new Peaky Blinders film, which starts filming in September, after sharing a photo of the script on social media.

He posted it with the defiant caption: ‘Just when I thought I was gone…’ – a famous quote from Michael Corleone from the Godfather series, when he realizes he can’t escape his life as a mafia boss.

Paul would undoubtedly play a central role in the Peaky Blinders film if he were involved, but his drug conviction in January and allegations of bad behavior on set could jeopardize his participation.

But despite his vulnerability, there are signs he hasn’t given up hope of reprising the role that made his name – and fans are also keen to see him alongside his co-star and TV brother Cillian Murphy.

It comes just months after he was caught with crack cocaine after a day at the pub. He was also found to be in possession of amphetamines, diazepam and pregabalin.

A local shopkeeper, who considers Paul a friend, told MailOnline: ‘It’s heartbreaking. He’s a mess.

‘But his erratic behavior is causing real problems. He often seems dazed and unresponsive.

‘He had an argument with people at the scene. He walks around and makes a lot of noise. We are all very concerned. He had a big row at Tesco a few weeks ago.

‘He lives like he’s on another planet. He has been topless in public. He has trouble walking. It’s a big concern. He looks out of control. It’s tragic.’

Another said: ‘He’s slowly looking worse over the months. It really stands out in the environment. It’s terrible.’

Real fears for his health have led to speculation that a long-awaited return to playing Arthur Shelby could be in jeopardy.

He looked thin and weak in February, just days after his co-star Cillian finally confirmed he would be willing to play Tommy Shelby in a Peaky Blinders film.

His own rags to riches story is so extraordinary it could have come straight from the pages of a Hollywood script.

The south Londoner, who has been nicknamed Boycie after Del Boy’s friend from Only Fools and Horses, the cycling dealer, had been making ends meet on the edge of the law when he got his break about 15 years ago.

After leaving school at 14, Paul wanted to become a lead singer in a band and earn money by working as a tout, which is illegal in Britain.

But a chance meeting with a film director outside Stamford Bridge, where he was selling tickets for Chelsea versus Barcelona, ​​led to a major role in the cult film The Firm after the director said he found his lines ‘exotic’ and loved his raspy accent.

Fame and fortune followed, including a decade of Peaky Blinders and parts in Hollywood blockbusters including The Revenant with Leodardo DiCaprio and his good friend Tom Hardy, whom he calls his “brother.”

Paul lives in a £1.2million property in North London and is believed to be single. He has previously been linked to jewelry designer Stephy Clark, but their relationship status has never been made public.

In January, it emerged that Paul was arrested after a drinker in his neighborhood in Hampstead told the pub manager that there was a smell of drug fumes coming from the disabled toilet after the actor walked out on Boxing Day.

The actor had a crack pipe with him, but denied using it.

He would play a central role in any Peaky Blinders film if he were involved, but his drug conviction in January and allegations of bad behavior on set could jeopardize his participation.

But despite his vulnerability, there are signs he has not given up hope of reprising the role that made his name, with the actor responding to support from his Instagram followers.

One commented on a post: ‘Commissioned by The Peaky Blinders’, to which Anderson replied: ‘Forever’.