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Glasgow gangland enforcer Paul Ferris dies aged 62 as murder victim's family pops champagne after 34-year wait

From the Newshound archive · first published 7 October 2026 · last updated 9 October 2026.

Paul Ferris, who died suddenly on Tuesday evening following a short illness, leaving a sequel to the cult film 'The Wee Man' unfinished.
Paul Ferris, who died suddenly on Tuesday evening following a short illness, leaving a sequel to the cult film 'The Wee Man' unfinished.

Paul Ferris, one of Glasgow's most feared underworld figures, died on Tuesday night at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital aged 62 after a short illness, ending a life defined by violence, notoriety and a contested reinvention as a best-selling author. Tracey Thompson, sister of Arthur "Fatboy" Thompson jnr, posted champagne photographs on Facebook hours after news broke, captioning one "it would be rude not to." Former lawyer James McIntyre, who represented Ferris, said he had been trying to reach him for weeks and was stunned by his sudden death.

Ferris had been acquitted in 1992 of Thompson jnr's murder after what was then Scotland's longest-ever criminal trial.

A separate Thompson family member wrote online: 'I think we are going to need another Magnum bottle to celebrate properly after 34 years.'

MoreDaily Mail NewsReformed hard man? Paul Ferris could never escape his gangland pastDaily RecordGangland murder victim's family ‘pop champagne and celebrate’ in wake of Paul Ferris' deathDaily RecordPaul Ferris' lawyer ‘stunned by his sudden death’Daily RecordGangland enforcer was offered £10,000 to kill Paul FerrisThe TelegraphPaul Ferris, violent Glaswegian gangster who became a literary celebrity
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