Scots Peaky Blinders viewers cringe at 'brutal' Glaswegian accent

A Glaswegian gang leader's accent in the latest episode of Peaky Blinders has become a big talking point north of the border, with one viewer labelling it "the worst Scottish accent since Mel Gibson".

Dublin actor Brian Gleeson plays 'Bridgeton Billy Boys' gang leader Jimmy McCavern. Picture: Peaky Blinders/BBC One

**Warning YouTube link contains strong language**Scots viewers were glued to their screens on Monday evening as the second episode of the hit BBC show's fifth season introduced a new character: 'Bridgeton' Billly Boys leader Jimmy McCavern.In a dramatic scene, McCavern and the rest of the bigoted Billy Boys arrive chanting before sending a message to Birmingham leader and MP Thomas Shelby in a brutal and bloody manner. A flurry of violence sees characters ruthlessly shot and crucified in a matter of minutes.

@glioriginali_ wrote: "Couldn’t give a f*** about Brian Gleeson’s accent tbh, made up he’s in it. Absolutely boss actor."

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight previously commented: “We have someone playing a fictionalised version of a real Glasgow character who was around in east Glasgow, Billy Fullerton. The man who ran the Billy Boys.

“The truth is that in the late Twenties and Thirties really the hardest gangs were in Glasgow. There was a very definite structure to the gangs so I have been delving into the history of that.

“They become involved through a bit of invention, some creativity. We are going to start the series in 1929 which was a time of big economic upheaval and the gateway to the Thirties where we all know what happened.

“It’s a rich vein to be mining.”It was reported earlier this week that Peaky Blinders' move to BBC One gave the drama its highest overnight ratings for series launch so far.The first episode of series five was watched by an average of 3.7 million people, peaking at four million.The first four series aired on BBC Two.