A legendary Scottish actor has revealed that he was once arrested during a train journey. 

James Cosmo, who stars in the new BBC thriller Nightsleeper which is set on the Glasgow to London train, has revealed he was once arrested on the same journey.

The Game of Thrones and Braveheart star said he was 'nicked' by the British Transport Police for “lamping” a drunk who was harassing two female passengers on the Caledonian Sleeper.

(Image: Image of James Cosmo) The Daily Record reported that Cosmo, 76, explained: “It’s ironic but when I was a young pup I got arrested on the London to Glasgow train and then de-arrested.

“A guy who got on the train was very drunk and started annoying these two girls who were sitting opposite me. When it began to get really out of hand I clocked the bloke.

“We were just pulling into Carlisle and the British Transport Police came onboard and took me off the train. They didn’t cuff me but they told me they were arresting me for assault.

“The train was held in the station and cops got on to talk to the passengers. Once they had spoken to the two girls they realised what had happened and arrested the drunk instead.”

The Clydebank man added: “After they had de-arrested me they let me get back on the train. I sat down and the guard came up to me and asked me to come with him - I thought: “Oh no what’s going to happen now?”

“But I needn’t have worried as he put me in first class and I continued my journey in the lap of luxury. I was only 25 at the time but I remember it like it was yesterday.

“It’s funny that 50 years later I am starring in a drama set on the same train service and this journey is eventful too but this time it is even more sinister.”

In the series, which is now available on BBCiPlayer, Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders) plays off-duty cop Joe Roag who battles to save the lives of his fellow passengers after the Glasgow to London service is hijacked in a cyber attack.

As an ex-train driver, James’s character Fraser Warren is a vital part of the storyline and ends up lending a hand when things go really wrong.

Cosmo said: “I felt like the oldest action hero in the world. At the age I am I never thought I would be throwing myself under a moving train. I thought I would go into graceful retirement but it hasn’t worked out that way and I’m glad as there is a lot of life left in me yet.

“I had great fun with all the cast and the directors were first class. I struck up a really lovely friendship with actress Leah MacRae who plays my daughter-in-law. We message all the time now and she calls me papa.

“Everything about this drama just came together so well. It was a real triumph for everyone involved.”