Trainspotting 2 actor Bradley Welsh fatally shot outside his home in Scotland

Scottish actor Bradley Welsh has been shot dead outside his home in Edinburgh.

The 42-year-old was killed by a gunshot to the head on Wednesday while his wife and young daughter were in the house.

Scottish police confirmed his death on Thursday, and that it was being treated as murder.

Considerable resources will be dedicated to the inquiry, reports the Guardian.

Welsh was found by a neighbour who heard the gunshot. 

The former British lightweight boxing champion was involved in multiple charity projects in Edinburgh, including helping young people stay out of crime through his Holyrood Boxing Gym, reports the Guardian.

In 2017, Welsh appeared in Trainspotting 2, playing gangster figure Mr Doyle.

The author of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh, paid tribute to the actor on Twitter, thanking him for "making me a better person".

"My heart is broken. Goodbye my amazing and beautiful friend. Thanks for making me a better person and helping me see the world in a kinder and wiser way."

Tributes have also poured in on The Holyrood Boxing Gym Facebook page.

"RIP Big Bad Brad," wrote one man.

"Your community efforts for the kids of Edinburgh are outstanding and inspirational. The capital has lost their superhero."

"A man who worked tirelessly to pull off events that nobody thought were possible, yet still somehow managed to turn up and hold the pads for 20 rounds every evening," wrote another.

"Edinburgh has lost a true gentleman."

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