Honorary Brummie and troubled Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson has received a message of support and 'admiration' from the city's favourite son, Jude Bellingham.
The actor is known around the world for his role as hellraiser Arthur Shelby - a notorious gangster fighting his inner demons and an addiction to drugs.
Just like the much-loved character, the 47-year-old actor has had travails in his own personal life - but it appears that he is winning the battle.
Paul was spotted at a meet and greet in Essex over the weekend - his first public appearance for some time.
'We're all proud of Paul, he's trying to turn his life around', one friend has said.
And he has since revealed that Birmingham-born footballer Jude Bellingham has been in touch and is a fan of Peaky Blinders.
Paul has shared a picture of a Real Madrid shirt signed by the England midfielder, who calls him by his nickname 'Boycey'.
The footballer, who started out at Birmingham City, wrote: 'From one Peaky Blinder to another. Lots of love and admiration. Best wishes, Jude'.
Paul shared it on Instagram and said: 'Jude Bellingham you absolute blinder. Keep right on'.
Jude Bellingham has sent a signed shirt to Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson
Jude Bellingham has sent a signed shirt to Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson
Paul Anderson was spotted at a meet and greet in Essex over the weekend
Paul Anderson was spotted at a meet and greet in Essex over the weekend
Paul Anderson, who played Arthur Shelby in the hit BBC drama alongside Cillian Murphy's Thomas Shelby, was caught with drugs and is understood to have missed out on reprising his role in the Peaky Blinder movie
Paul Anderson, who played Arthur Shelby in the hit BBC drama alongside Cillian Murphy's Thomas Shelby, was caught with drugs and is understood to have missed out on reprising his role in the Peaky Blinder movie
In April Jude paid his own tribute to his Birmingham roots after he stepped off a plane at Gatwick Airport wearing an outfit straight out of Peaky Blinders.
The Real Madrid star, who was born and raised in Stourbridge on the outskirts of Birmingham, cut a dashing figure in a flat cap and sleek black outfit reminiscent of the iconic BBC gangster series set in his home city.
Cillian Murphy's Tommy Shelby might be the most famous Birmingham face in recent years, but Bellingham is giving him strong competition.
Paul is understood to have missed out on starring in the Peaky Blinders movie, due for release in March, after he was caught with crack cocaine and an array of other narcotics in a pub on Boxing Day 2023.
Earlier this year the Daily Mail revealed Anderson was convicted of riding a BMW motorbike without insurance in leafy St John's Wood. He also left his 1.2million home in north London.
But he was seen looking healthier when out and about in Essex a few days ago.
Bellingham is one of Birmingham's most famous faces but he looked like another Brummie icon when he landed in the UK in April with Real Madrid
Bellingham is one of Birmingham's most famous faces but he looked like another Brummie icon when he landed in the UK in April with Real Madrid
His choice of headwear made him resemble Peaky Blinders main character Tommy Shelby, and it appears he is a fan of the show
His choice of headwear made him resemble Peaky Blinders main character Tommy Shelby, and it appears he is a fan of the show
The 47-year-old made a personal appearance at a clothing store in The Liberty Shopping Centre in the Romford area on Sunday.
Channelling his character Clive 'Bex' Bissell in 2009 film The Firm, the actor was spotted posing for photos in a retro-style Sergio Tacchini Masters tracksuit.
Outside the shopping centre, Anderson posed for an impromptu photoshoot with fans after making an in-store appearance at the 80s Casual Classics clothing store.
While nothing has been confirmed, the actor is not expected to feature in the new 'Peaky Blinders' movie, which is due out in the spring.
Anderson has had some well publicised troubles in his personal life, which began on Boxing Day 2023 when he was caught with crack cocaine and amphetamines in a pub toilet.
More recently, he missed out on reprising his Shelby brother role alongside Cillian Murphy amid chaos in his personal life.
Last year, Anderson posed with a top of the range electric BMW motorcycle at the German motor company's flagship showroom on Park Lane.
But weeks later he was caught driving one without insurance in north London, not far from Hampstead, where he lived at the time.
On March 6 2025 he was convicted at Bexley Magistrates Court. He failed to attend the hearing.
He was also accused of failing to attend a drug rehabilitation meeting with a social worker after a drugs test taken last year because he was caught with crack cocaine in a pub toilet.
Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson looked worlds away from TV character Arthur Shelby on day out in London on Wednesday a month after admitting to crack cocaine possession
Last year Paul looked worlds away from TV character Arthur Shelby - but friends have said he has turned things around
A dressed-down Anderson attends a VIP film screening of The Gentleman in December 2019
A dressed-down Anderson attends a VIP film screening of The Gentleman in December 2019
Outside the shopping centre, Anderson posed for an impromptu photoshoot with fans after making an in-store appearance at the 80s Casual Classics clothing store
Outside the shopping centre, Anderson posed for an impromptu photoshoot with fans after making an in-store appearance at the 80s Casual Classics clothing store
Paul signed the picture made up of shotgun bullets before posing with it in the store
Paul signed the picture made up of shotgun bullets before posing with it in the store
Fans have been concerned about his frail appearance after an annus horribilis where he missed out on playing Arthur Shelby in the Peaky Blinders movie.
One friend said it has been 'heartbreaking' to watch him struggle.
As the acting work has dried up, and he missed out on filming the Peaky Blinders movie, Paul has been making money from £150 personalised Cameo messages and paid appearances at events.
His world came crashing down on Boxing Day 2023 when he was caught with crack cocaine and amphetamines in a pub toilet, where customers described smelling drugs fumes.
He pleaded guilty to crack cocaine and amphetamines possession on January 25 2024, he allegedly failed to attend a follow up meeting with a social worker to establish whether he was at risk of being a drug addict.
Paul with a brand new BMW bike in May last year. He was convicted of riding one without insurance in a new scrape with the law
Paul with a brand new BMW bike in May last year. He was convicted of riding one without insurance in a new scrape with the law
Court documents show that a drugs test found he had 'cocaine and opiates' in his blood.
'You failed to attend an initial assessment to establish whether you were dependant upon or had a propensity to misuse a Class A drug', a court summons from January 2025 said.
An arrest warrant was issued at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court - but it was withdrawn a few weeks ago because the fallen star could not be traced.
This was because Paul has moved out of his £1.2million mews near Hampstead Heath, documents said.