Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson admits he's 'struggling today'

Paul Anderson has opened up about dealing with his struggles as he took to social media to open up about his pain on Thursday evening. 

The Peaky Blinders star, 46, has recently sparked concern from friends after they expressed worries that the troubled star appeared to be on a 'downward spiral'. 

And now the actor has admitted to his struggles as he encouraged his followers to reach out to each other and overcome their troubles together. 

Speaking in an thoughtful Instagram clip, he confessed he had been struggling that day as he began: 'Just like you, search inside. Find it for yourself, overcome the struggles, the tribulations, the pain that you are feeling.

'Because there is no story without struggle. Take it from me. I have struggled and I struggle today, the same way you do.'

Calling on his fans to help each other he continued: 'And we deal with it. If I can help you deal with your struggles then let's do this together. Let's make this the first of many conversations as you can't do it on your own. You need help.

'I will say this one more thing to you. You can help others and in turn it will help you. It is called service. 

'So turn around my friend, look for somebody else who is also suffering, and as hard as you may find it, help them. As you will find it helps you more, believe it or not.'

He concluded: 'Remember this. We are amazing. You are unbelievable.'

Paul also shared a candid message earlier this week as he discussed being 'insecure' and not 'believing' in himself throughout his successful career. 

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 ones talent is the fundamental quality of a true artist. That is a statement from a writer called Chekhov. 

'So if you are having self doubt, well welcome to the club, because I can't act. And every time I do, I wait for a tap on the shoulder saying, "sorry son, you are in the wrong game, go home."'

He continued: 'Every true artist feels the same, so what that tells me is you know what you are doing. Look it up, Anton Chekhov. I used to remember it word for word because it rang out when I read it, because I too felt like I didn't know what I was doing. 

'I struggled with self confidence, and insecurity and self-doubt. Those are the fundamental qualities of every true talent. 

'If you think you are great, then you are wrong, you are disillusioned. Let other people tell you are, then maybe one day you'll believe it yourself.'

It comes after Paul teased that he will be appearing in the new Peaky Blinders movie, which begins filming in September, after he shared a picture of the script on social media.

He posted it with the defiant caption: 'Just when I thought I was out...' - a famous Michael Corleone quote from the Godfather series when he realises he cannot escape his life as a mob boss.

However, last month friends told MailOnline they were worried he may not be ready when filming for the movie starts in September.

Paul's wrinkled appearance and gaunt frame has concerned fans who say he is a shadow of his formidable sharp-suited character Arthur Shelby, brother of Birmingham gangland leader Tommy.

It comes just months after he was caught with crack cocaine after a day in the pub. He was also found to have amphetamines, plus diazepam and pregabalin on him.

One local shopkeeper, who counts Paul as a friend, said: 'It's heartbreaking. He's a mess. But his erratic behaviour is causing real problems. He often seems dazed and not with it.

'He's had arguments with people locally. He walks around making a lot of noise.

'We are all very worried. He had a big argument in Tesco a few weeks ago.

'He is living like he is on another planet. He's been in public topless. He struggles to walk.'

The friend added: 'It's a great concern. He looks out of control. It's tragic.'

Another said: 'He has been slowly looking worse over the months. He really stands out in the area. It's awful.'

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

The actor was carrying a crack pipe but denied he was using it.

Real fears for his health has led to speculation that a much anticipated return to playing Arthur Shelby could be under threat.

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

And another local believes his condition has worsened since then. They said: 'It's a real downward spiral. He has gotten worse in the last few weeks.'

His own rags to riches tale is so extraordinary it could be from the pages of a Hollywood script.

The South Londoner, who is nicknamed Boycie like the wheeler dealer friend of Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses, had been making ends meet on the very edge of the law when he got his break around 15 years ago.

After leaving school at 14, Paul wanted to be a lead singer in a band and made money working as a tout, which is illegal in the UK.

But a chance meeting with a film director outside Stamford Bridge where he was selling tickets for Chelsea versus Barcelona led to a big part in cult movie The Firm after the director said he found his touting 'exotic' and loved his rasping accent.

Fame and fortune followed, including a decade on Peaky Blinders and parts in Hollywood blockbusters including The Revenant with Leodardo DiCaprio and his close friend Tom Hardy, who he calls his 'brother'.

He would play a pivotal role in any Peaky Blinders film if involved, but his drug conviction in January and allegations of bad behaviour on set could threaten his participation.

Yet despite his frailty, there are signs that he hasn't 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: 'By order of The Peaky Blinders', to which Anderson replied: 'Forever'.