Actor Stabbed
Actor Tam Dean Burn Stabbed in Edinburgh
Leith-born actor Tam Dean Burn has been stabbed after leaving an event at the Scottish Poetry Library in Crichton’s Close on the Canongate.
The Outlander and River City star was performing at – and attending – a tribute on Saturday 2 March 2019 to the poet Tom Leonard who died last year. He had just left for the Hibs-Celtic cup tie at Easter Road when he was attacked and stabbed in the throat by a man who appeared out of a close.
Tam Dean Burn. Pic: Pako Mera
Friends of the 60 year-old actor took him back to the Poetry library where he was treated by ambulance staff before being taken to hospital.
He has been discharged and is now recovering at home, tweeting on Sunday afternoon: “Thanks for all the messages of support folks. I’m fine honest & when it says I’m resting that’s not the actors euphemism so going to take a break from here”
Police attended the incident and say they arrested a 42 year-old man at 4pm.
Tam Dean Burn has built a strong following from appearances on screen and TV, including playing Roddy in the film of Local Hero.
However, he is a regular performer on Edinburgh’s stages and a strong supporter of spoken word poetry. He is in a Burns tribute band The Bum-Clocks and appeared in the EIFF’s tribute to Tom McGrath in 2017, performing with Tommy Smith and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
courage and composure
The Scottish Poetry Library tweeted on Monday morning: “The staff and volunteers of the Scottish Poetry Library responded with remarkable courage and composure following the attack on Tam Dean Burn on Saturday afternoon.
Tam Dean Burn as the Duchess’s Baby in the Lyceum’s 2016 production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Photo Drew Farrell
“The incident occurred outside the Library after our tribute event for Tom Leonard. Tam was treated for his injuries in the Library. We should like to thank the emergency services for their professionalism and compassion.
“As this is an ongoing police investigation and a man has been charged, we can’t say too much at this time but we hope that Tam Dean Burn, who is a treasured friend, has a full and speedy recovery.”
Burn is due to appear in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production Dear Europe on March 29.
ENDS
