Irvine Welsh short story He Ain't Lager finds Begbie rehabilitated through art and in love as he visits his family
Francis Begbie, the sociopathic character prone to bouts of shocking violence in Irvine Welsh's novel Trainspotting, is portrayed in a mellower light in a Christmas short story by the Scottish author to be published in the Big Issue.
The story, He Ain't Lager, features Begbie – who was played by Robert Carlyle in the film adaptation of Trainspotting – now older, rehabilitated through art and in love.
It is set after the events portrayed in Trainspotting and its sequel Porno, and focuses on Begbie visiting his family, including homeless brother Joe, at Christmas after being released from prison.
"I'm not sure where this [story] came from. I never really know. I just think the character has to be full of surprises and I quite like this little twist in [Begbie's] life," Welsh said.
He wrote the story for the Glasgow-based International Network of Street Papers (INSP). It will be published before Christmas in the Big Issue and other publications supported by INSP that seek to help homeless people.
The author, who lives in Chicago, said he became an INSP ambassador because he saw "so many friends struggling to keep a home together, or trying to rebuild one".
He added: "They deserve the same rights that I enjoy. Homelessness issues are now sadly ubiquitous across the western world, and very much a product of the weak priorities our political leadership has set."
INSP supports and develops more than 120 street paper projects in 40 countries. Maree Aldam, INSP's general manager, said: "Interviews and writing by famous names give our network of homeless vendors a big sales boost. We know that the story of this infamous character will appeal to readers worldwide and therefore help our vendors to earn their own living over the winter months."
Paul McNamee, the Big Issue editor, said: "The Christmas period is a key time for the Big Issue and our vendors. As we push for sales to help vendors at the most difficult time of the year, we run a series of bumper seasonal editions. We start next week, in fact, with a Doctor Who special."