Irvine Welsh has dedicated his new book to murdered ex-football casual Bradley Welsh.
The Trainspotting author had been close pals with Welsh for 30 years and described his death as a “great loss.”
Welsh, 48, who ran Holyrood Boxing Gym, was shot outside his flat in Edinburgh New Town in April 2019.
Irvine, 63, said he first met the ex-boxer, who was in the film T2: Trainspotting, when they went to Hibs matches.
His dedication in The Long Knives, due to be published in August, reads: “This book is dedicated to the vivid and immortal spirit of Bradley John Welsh. Every day missed, every moment inspiring.”
Irvine said his death and that of two other pals, the singer Jake Black and record producer Andrew Weatherall, had left him unable to write for a long time.
He added: “However, I know with great confidence how all three of them would disdain that as nonsense, so I’m happy to be back in the fiction arena again.
“I hope everyone enjoys the book, which is dedicated to Brad, who I miss every day.”
Last year, Sean Orman, 31, was found guilty of Welsh’s murder and jailed for a minimum of 28 years.
