Former Glasgow gangster Paul Ferris dies at 62

The Daily Record said the former crime figure died on Tuesday at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital following a brief illness.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 07 Oct 2026 20:24:08 GMT

Paul Ferris, a former Glasgow crime figure who later became an author, died aged 62 at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Tuesday, the Daily Record reported.

What happened

Ferris was admitted to the hospital with a short illness and passed away there, according to the Daily Record as cited by the Independent, the Standard and a Standard‑owned Facebook post.

What the reports add

The Independent noted that Ferris had previously worked alongside gang boss Arthur “The Godfather” Thompson Sr. and was cleared of the 1991 murder of Thompson’s son, Arthur “Fat Boy” Thompson Jr.
The Standard repeated these details and added that two of Ferris’s friends, Joe Hanlon and Bobby Glover, were found dead on the day of the funeral for the slain son.
A Standard‑owned Facebook post by photographer Brian Anderson said Ferris had “gone straight for 25 years” and authored several best‑selling books.
Source 3 reported that Ferris was convicted in 1998 of arms‑trafficking offences at the Old Bailey in London and served a seven‑year sentence for gun‑running while in prison he co‑authored his debut book The Ferris Conspiracy with Reg McKay, published in 2001.

What was said

“It was very humbling (to see the film), I thought it was an emotional roller‑coaster.” – Paul Ferris, speaking to the Independent after seeing the 2013 film The Wee Man based on his book.

“The best way was to be up front and honest about it.” – Paul Ferris, also quoted by the Independent.

“During the first 15‑20 minutes of it when I first saw it in London I felt as though I needed fresh air but I didn’t want to give the wrong impression by standing up, because I was sitting at the front. To walk out might have made other people think: ‘Where’s he going?’ or ‘What does he not like about the movie?’ I look back on it and it was trigger mechanisms from my childhood that I’d put to the back of my mind. Watching them unfold on the screen was a bit queasy. I felt like I needed to go for fresh air. I felt claustrophobic. I had that many emotions running through my mind. I don’t think I was adequately prepared for it. I was the first guy out the door when it finished.” – Paul Ferris, as quoted in both the Independent and the Standard.

How it came about

After serving a prison sentence for gun‑running, Ferris left the criminal world, co‑wrote The Ferris Conspiracy in 2001 with Reg McKay while incarcerated, and saw the story adapted into the 2013 film The Wee Man. His transition from gangland to writing was covered by Felo News in earlier pieces on Scottish crime history.

Key facts

Paul Ferris died aged 62 at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. (independent.co.uk)
Ferris had been a former associate of Glasgow gang boss Arthur “The Godfather” Thompson Sr. (standard.co.uk)
He was cleared of the 1991 murder of Arthur “Fat Boy” Thompson Jr. (standard.co.uk)