Peaky Blinders star Tommy Flanagan says he's moving back to Scotland after 25 years

Actor Tommy Flanagan has revealed plans to return to Scotland after spending 25 years in the US, following Donald Trump's significant election victory. The star, famed for his roles in acclaimed productions such as Gladiator, Peaky Blinders, and Sons of Anarchy, is among numerous Hollywood figures who have voiced their discontent with America's political swing to the right.

The 59 year old expressed: "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."

Married to Dina and a father to his 12 year old daughter Aunjanue, Tommy is keen to relocate to Scotland for living and working after an extensive career in the US film and TV industry. In conversation with The Daily Record, he disclosed: "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 also mused on his enduring bond with Scotland, remarking: "I don't feel I've been gone that long to be honest with you, I really don't."

Despite residing in California for the last 25 years, he shared: "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.", reports the Express.

Tommy, who hails from Easterhouse, is recognisable by the distinctive scars on his face, a result of a knife attack outside a nightclub where he was working as a DJ. Following an assault by a gang trying to rob him, it was during his recovery in hospital that his friend Robert Carlyle encouraged him to pursue acting.

He rose to prominence with roles in Mel Gibson's 1995 epic Braveheart and Lynne Ramsay's Ratcatcher, before appearing as Cicero in Ridley Scott's Gladiator in 2000, alongside Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. His other notable appearances include Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2, Alien vs Predator, The Game, and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.

However, he is perhaps most famous for his portrayal of outlaw biker Flip 'Chips' Telford in the TV series Sons of Anarchy, which ran from 2008 to 2014.

Recently in Glasgow to present his friend, casting director Des Hamilton, with an Outstanding Contribution to Craft award at the BAFTA Scotland awards, Flanagan also disclosed that he has signed on for Guy Ritchie's new project. He will join a stellar cast including Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, and Tom Hardy in The Associate, a London-set gangster series set to air on Paramount+.

Tommy expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "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."

Speaking about his upcoming projects, he added, "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."

However, keeping it under wraps, he said, "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."

The actor, looking forward to filming 'The Associates' in the UK soon, continued, "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."

Regarding his daughter, he remarked, "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."

Finally, he added, "I will be in Scotland. I think I've been gone long enough."