A BRADFORD screenwriter has spoken about his collaboration with famous Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh on a successful TV series.

Dean Cavanagh, who lives in the Cottingley area of Bradford, spoke to the T&A this month about the second series of Crime, starring Dougray Scott.

The first series of Crime, based on a 2008 Welsh novel of the same name, has been a success and Scott won an Emmy for his portrayal of detective Lennox.

"Series one had really good ratings, and it's been a big success," said Mr Cavanagh. "It's been picked by countries around the world.

"The second series is coming out on September 21 on ITVX.

"It's downloadable on the app before going to ITV later in the year.

"It's got a dark theme and there is a lot of violence in it."

Crime is Mr Cavanagh's latest collaboration with Welsh, who he has worked with for 25 years.

"We've done loads of things together in the past, including film, TV and plays.

"Trainspotting is his biggest seller. It blew up internationally and it became one of the most successful Indie films of all time.

"I was working in London when we met. It was after the film Trainspotting came out. We struck up a friendship.

"It's been great collaborating with him."

The pair recently worked together on the 2021 film Creation Stories.

Although Mr Cavanagh has written a number of screenplays, he said a career in screenwriting has "its ups and downs".

"It takes a lot of hard work," he said. "I have a lot of projects in the pipeline, but you can't rest on your laurels.

"If you do something successful, then it can have a knock-on effect.

"It's feast or famine, but I've stuck with it because I've always wanted to be a writer."

Mr Cavanagh recently released The Painter, a true crime novel which came out in May.

Although he was born in Bradford and lives in Cottingley, he said a lot of his material is set in other places like Edinburgh or London.

"I'd love to do something in Bradford. I've got a few scripts about Bradford. I'm just waiting for them to be picked up.

"It's so hit and miss is TV. You're not guaranteed success. It's a very competitive market nowadays with all the streaming platforms.

"It's a brutal business. You're only as good as your next script."

Mr Cavanagh also spoke about Bradford being used for film locations and the city being chosen as the City of Culture 2025.

"I love this city; I always have. It's great it's getting recognised."