ROBERT Carlyle kept away from his family in Glasgow while filming Trainspotting 2 – because he became so much like Begbie.
The star decided to live in Edinburgh rather than his home city while shooting because Begbie was “sitting there” in the back of his head.
Carlyle, originally from Maryhill, travelled from his new home in Canada for filming.
But in an interview with Time Out London this week, was asked if playing a violent psychopath affected him.
Carlyle responded: “My family were in Glasgow but I stayed in Edinburgh.
“He’s not the kind of character you want to take home every night.
“It takes it’s toll. You find yourself being short with people. You get a wee bit louder and a wee bit more snappy.
“Begbie’s sitting there in the back of your head. ”
Carlyle also touched on the pressure to make a sequel that lived up to the celebrated first movie.
“I haven’t been nervous in years to be honest,” he said, “but the nerves were back.”
The actor also revealed that his legendary portrayal of Begbie has been passed down a generation.
Referring to his youngest child, Pearce, he said: “My wee boy is ten. He puts on the false moustache and flicks me the Vs.
“But we draw the line at swearing.”
It has been 20 years since Trainspotting’s drug-fuelled antics hit cinemas across the UK.
Original cast members including Begbie, Renton, Sick Boy and Spud have been spotted filming in locations across Edinburgh over the past year.
The film’s synopsis reads: “Mark Renton returns to the only place he can ever call home. They are waiting for him: Spud, Sick Boy, and Begbie.
“Other old friends are waiting too: sorrow, loss, joy, vengeance, hatred, friendship, love, longing, fear, regret, diamorphine, self-destruction and mortal danger.
“They are all lined up to welcome him, ready to join the dance.”
The movie’s soundtrack was revealed last week featuring Iggy Pop, Queen and Edinburgh based hip hop band, Young Fathers.
The magazine also interviewed Jonny Lee Miller, who revealed he has to work hard to nail Sick Boy’s Scottish accent.
The actor from Kingston-upon-Thames, London, said: “I am constantly disappointing people up in Scotland by not being Scottish. But yeah I worked with a voice coach.”
He predicted: “I think people are going to like it for different reasons than they think.
“The first film is about frustration and anger and rebellion. You can’t make a film about a bunch of guys in their forties and have it be about that. It’s more about love and loss, bad decision-making, who your friends are and what you’re left with.”
Ewen Bremner, who plays gormless drug addict Spud, also revealed his role in the first Trainspotting made him take his career more seriously.
He said: “It allowed me to take the idea of being an actor seriously. Until then I thought it was preposterous. I don’t fit the mould of the good looking guy with good teeth and and nice hair.”
And Ewan McGregor, who plays the starring role as university drop-out Renton, paid homage to the movie’s director.
He said: “Danny Boyle is Trainspotting. He is the reason it’s so successful. It’s all him. He always gives the sensation that he knows exactly what you’re doing, like he’s inside your head. I really missed him. I was happy to be back.”
He added: “There are some nods to the first film. But I’m not going to spoil them by telling you about them.”
T2 will be released in cinemas across the UK on Friday 27 January.
