Bradley Welsh was shot dead last night (Picture: REX) Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh is leading the tributes to Bradley Welsh, who was shot dead on Wednesday night. Actor Bradley, 42, was found dead on the street near his home in the West End area of Edinburgh at around 8pm on Wednesday with reports suggesting he was shot in the head. Armed police responded to calls of a disturbance on Chester Street where they found a seriously injured man, who later died at the scene. The man is understood to have been Welsh. The boxer and actor was a good friend of Irvine Welsh, who wrote the part of hardman boxer Doyle into the script for T2 Trainspotting for Bradley to play. The author tweeted a picture of Bradley and wrote: ‘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.’ Irvine was a good friend of Bradley’s (Picture: Rosdiana Ciaravolo/Getty Images) Edinburgh locals and members of the boxing community also took to social media to pay tribute to Welsh upon his passing. One person wrote: ‘Sad to hear the news about Bradley Welsh. Didn’t know him personally but just recently had a few interactions on here with him through boxing and training. ‘By all accounts a cracking guy who done fantastic work for the kids and the community in Edinburgh.’ A fellow Hibs fan tweeted: ‘Rest in peace Bradley Welsh. A good Hibee taken far too soon’, while a friend wrote: ‘Edinburgh has lost one of its finest sons.’ The shooting occurred in the West End area of Edinburgh (Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) Bradley was well known in the community (Picture: Instagram) Boxer Welsh starred alongside Ewan McGregor as gangster Doyle in the 2017 sequel to cult classic Trainspotting, auditioning for Danny Boyle after giving him and Irvine a tour of Edinburgh to help choose some filming locations for T2. Welsh was a former British ABA Lightweight boxing champion, with over 100 knockouts to his name. He went on to run the Holyrood Boxing Gym in Edinburgh, where he was considered an ‘influential’ figure. Welsh once starred in Season 1 of Danny Dyer’s Deadliest Men in December 2008 and The Real Football Factories in 2006, on which he was characterised as a ‘football hooligan’. In the show, it’s claimed that Welsh was ‘Britain’s youngest criminal mastermind’ at 17 and ‘ran the streets’ of Edinburgh. Welsh previously served time for extortion and firearms but moved into charity work, helping young people stay out of trouble. A statement from police said his death was being treated as ‘suspicious’ and inquiries would continue. Got a showbiz story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you. MORE : Sophie Gradon’s parents will not attend inquest into her death<doc-sep>TRAINSPOTTING 2 actor Bradley Welsh, who played gangland kingpin Doyle, has died after being shot in the head by a hitman near his home in Scotland. What happened to the amateur boxing legend who was killed in Edinburgh? 7 Boxing instructor Bradley Welsh who was the surprise star of T2 as gangster Doyle, has been fatally shot Credit: Andy Barr - The Sun Glasgow What happened to Bradley Welsh? Bradley Welsh, 48, was gunned down by a hitman in Chester Street, near his home in Edinburgh at about 8pm on April 17 following a "disturbance". He was shot on the doorstep of his home while his partner and young daughter were inside, police have said. Cops said they were called to the street and found a man lying on a common staircase, having sustained serious injuries. Armed cops were scrambled as paramedics battled to save Bradley, who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Sources said he had suffered “life-threatening” wounds to the head. His shattered loved ones fear that his execution was ordered by Glaswegian gangsters. The boxing gym boss was blasted in the back of his head with a sawn-off shotgun outside his £500,000 flat. On May 13 a 28-year-old man was charged with his murder. Detectives believe Bradley was shot in a targeted attack by a man who fled the scene on foot. 7 Armed police at the scene of the actor and boxing legend's death Credit: Michael Schofield - The Sun Glasgow A source added: “Bradley’s family members immediately raced to the scene after failing to reach him on his mobile phone. “They were absolutely frantic with worry. A police family liaison officer arrived on scene to help comfort them. “The paramedics were there but he died lying in the street, he didn’t even make it alive to hospital.” Terrified locals were told to stay indoors as armed cops swooped on the street near Bradley's flat. 7 Forensics officers at the scene of the fatal shooting in Chester Street, Edinburgh Credit: Rex Features 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." A Police Scotland spokesman said: "We 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 in the street and sadly passed away at the scene." Police in Edinburgh said the death is being treated as murder. Det Supt Allan Burton, from the major investigation team, told The Sun: "We have a witness who spoke to Brad in the street when he arrived home and then he heard one bang. "Whether the shooter was lying in wait, got out of a car or followed him from another car we still don't know." He added: "We have a lady who's lost a partner, a child who's lost a dad, a family who have lost a son and brother. "They are devastated. We will support them as best we can, with specially trained family liaison officers, and we'll continue to do that over the coming weeks and months in preparation for any future trial. "And so, for their sake, and the sake of everybody else in this community, please come forward and help us find the person responsible for this horrific death." 7 T2 Trainspotting actor Bradley Welsh, pictured in the movie, died outside his flat in Edinburgh Credit: TriStar Pictures Who did Bradley Welsh play in T2 Trainspotting? Bradley Welsh starred alongside Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle in T2 Trainspotting, playing gangland figure Mr Doyle. His work at Holyrood Gym, running boxing and fitness classes for children, women, adults, the unemployed and the homeless, attracted the attention of Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh. The part he was invited to audition for was that of gangland boss and sauna owner Doyle, who puts the frighteners on Renton and Sick Boy when they dare to cross him. The actor also appeared in an episode of Danny Dyer's Deadliest Men. Danny posted on Instagram: "So sad to hear the news about Bradley Welsh. A good soul with a massive heart. A massive loss. Rest in Peace my old son." 7 7 Bradley Welsh helped young people stay away from a life of crime through his Holyrood Boxing Gym Credit: Rex Features Who was Bradley and was he married? Bradley was engaged to be married at the time he was killed. In an interview with the Edinburgh Evening News, less than a week before he was shot dead, Bradley revealed that "his past is always with him". Bradley spoke of spending his teenage years getting involved in protection rackets, before a spell in prison made him feel that being behind bars was for "imbeciles". He saw boxing as "a way out of the ghetto". Bradley said: "Boxing got me through the very hard periods where I went off the tracks." The former British ABA lightweight boxing champion, and Hibernian football fan, revealed he had no plans to pursue an acting career as he would be "typecast as a Scottish hard man". In 1997, he was jailed for assaulting a woman. Then aged 26, he was sentenced to four months at Edinburgh Sheriff Court after Sheriff John Horsburgh took into account his past record, including a four-year sentence, reported Herald Scotland. While serving 18 months of the four-year term, the boxer trained hard and won the amateur title in 1993 upon his release. He told Edinburgh Evening News in April 2019 that although boxing transformed his life, serving time "destroyed my mum, and I made her a promise". He revealed that from ages 15 to 19 he got involved in "protection rackets, the security industry, I was a nightclub promoter... the mistake I made was shutting everybody else down".<doc-sep>Don't miss any of Edinburgh Live's biggest stories - sign up to our daily email newsletter Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Police speaking at a press conference at the scene of a brutal shooting yesterday have revealed that the victim "died on his doorstep", after being gunned down as he returned home from an evening at his gym. Bradley Welsh - who starred in the movie Trainspotting 2, and who helped disadvantaged kids through his Holyrood Boxing Gym - was shot in the head at 8pm outside his house on Chester Street in Edinburgh's West End last night (April 17). In an appeal for witnesses that took place at 3pm on April 18, Det Supt Allan Burton from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team said: “He just said hello to his neighbour. He was walking back to his apartment, a person has appeared at the top of the steps and shot him.” “He may have been waiting for Mr Welsh to come back. The neighbour went over and found Mr Welsh’s body, he tried to give first aid." Police don’t have a motive yet but use of a firearm means they have to consider organised crime. Det Supt Allan Burton continued: “I put an appeal out for anyone who was in this vicinity or has any information or knowledge regarding this incident to please contact the police. 8 o clock was still daylight, there are vehicles who were travelling past with dashcams that could have captured this incident or the person responsible making his way from the scene. “Again I would appeal - a man 48 years of age has been killed as he was entering his home address in this close community in this central area of Edinburgh. “We’re treating this as a murder and we’re appealing for anyone out there to come forward who may have information that will lead to the arrest of the culprit or those responsible.” He also revealed that Mr Welsh died "on his doorstep", that his wife and young daughter were at home at the time of the murder, and only became aware of what had happened after police arrived at the scene. In an earlier statement Chief Inspector David Robertson, Local Area Commander for the City Centre said: "We recognise and understand the profound impact this incident will have had, both on those connected to the victim, and to the local community of the West End. "There will naturally be a high officer presence in the area over the forthcoming days both to offer reassurance and gather any relevant information that may be of use to the inquiry. "I want to stress that Edinburgh remains a safe place to live, work and visit and we are doing everything we can to bring those responsible for this needless death to justice. "In the coming days, weeks and months we will be providing the family with all the support and assistance they may require." Those with information can contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident 3782 of the 17th April. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. To receive one WhatsApp message a day with Edinburgh Live's headlines, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07899067815. Then add the number to your contacts as 'Edinburgh Live'. For more stories from across the Edinburgh area like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. You can also subscribe to our newsletter: enter your email in the blue box at the top of this article.<doc-sep>Don't miss any of Edinburgh Live's biggest stories - sign up to our daily email newsletter Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Police in Edinburgh have released details of a suspect seen near Chester Street following the murder of Bradley Welsh. The 48-year-old was shot dead on his steps after returning to his West End home on Chester Street on Wednesday evening (April 17). Police have since formally identified the victim as Mr Welsh and launched a murder investigation. Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the Chester Street or the West End area and remembers seeing a suspect who made off along Walker Street following the incident. He is described as being between 20 to 30-years-old, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall, with a slim build and tanned complexion. He was wearing a baseball cap and was casually dressed. Detective Superintendent Allan Burton from the Major Investigation Team said: "I want to once again convey my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Bradley Welsh and reiterate my commitment to bringing those responsible for his murder to justice. "Someone out there will know who committed this crime and I want you to search your conscience and do the right thing. A family are grieving for the loss of their son, brother, partner and father and they need answers. "If you can help with this investigation then please contact us immediately. "I also want to emphasise to the communities of Edinburgh that this incident is being treated as a targeted attack and murders, especially those involving a firearm remain extremely rare. "The Capital remains a safe place to live, work and visit and while this investigation continues, uniformed officers will maintain a high-visibility presence in the Chester Street and the West End to offer reassurance and engage with local residents and business staff." Those with information can contact the Major Investigation Team via 101 and quote incident number 3782 of the 17th April. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. To receive one WhatsApp message a day with Edinburgh Live's headlines, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07899067815. Then add the number to your contacts as 'Edinburgh Live'. For more stories from across the Edinburgh area like our Facebook page , or follow us on Twitter and Instagram . You can also subscribe to our newsletter: enter your email in the blue box at the top of this article.<doc-sep>
Bradley Welsh appeared in Trainspotting 2 but also ran a boxing gym in Edinburgh (Picture: Rex Shutterstock) Irvine Welsh has led the tributes to T2 Trainspotting star Bradley Welsh, who has died aged 42. Welsh, a former Boxing champion, was killed in a shooting near his home in Edinburgh on Wednesday – with Irvine Welsh saying his ‘heart is broken’. ‘Goodbye my amazing and beautiful friend,’ the author said on Twitter. Thanks for making me a better person and helping me to see the world in a wiser and kinder way,’ he said on Twitter. How did Bradley Welsh die? The actor was found on the street near his home in the West End area of Edinburgh at about 8pm on Wednesday, with reports suggesting he was shot in the head. Armed police responded to calls of a disturbance on Chester Street, where they found a seriously injured man – understood to have been Welsh – who later died at the scene. Police said in a statement: ‘His death is being treated as suspicious and inquiries are continuing. Officers will 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. ‘Anyone who believes they have any relevant information should contact police immediately.’ How was Bradley Welsh best known? Welsh played gangster Doyle in T2 Trainspotting, the sequel to the 90s cult classic Trainspotting, which was released in 2017 and which saw him sharing screen space with Ewan McGregor. He got the part as a good friend of Irvine Welsh, who wrote the part of a hardman boxer into the sequel’s script. Welsh then auditioned for director Danny Boyle in Bathgate, as well as giving the pair a tour of Edinburgh to help them choose filming locations. Others might remember Welsh from the Bravo series Danny Dyer’s Deadliest Men in December 2008, on which it was claimed he was ‘Britain’s youngest criminal mastermind’ when he was just 17. Bradley not only played Mr Doyle in the film but also helped scout locations (Picture: Sony) As well as acting Welsh had a successful boxing career, and was a former British ABA Lightweight champion with 100 knockouts under his belt He previously served time in prison for extortion and firearms but more recently had been involved in charity projects, with his Holyrood Boxing Gym encouraging young people to stay away from a life of crime.