John Byrne


1940 - 2023

Dramatist and artist. Born in Ferguslie (Paisley), the result of an incestuous relationship between his mother and her father, he was educated at St Mirin's Academy, going on to train at Edinburgh and Glasgow Colleges of Art. His first play Writer's Cramp debuted on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1977. This was followed by the award-winning Slab Boys (1978) that examined the lives of workers in a carpet factory, a job in which Byrne himself began his career, and was followed by Cuttin' A Rug (1980) and Still Life (1983). His BBC television comedy drama Tutti Frutti (1987) starred Robbie Coltrane (1950 - 2022) and gained a BAFTA award. Your Cheatin' Heart (1989) followed in a similar vein and starred John Gordon Sinclair (b. 1962). Known for his stylish outfits and distinctive moustache and beard, he also designed album covers for Gerry Rafferty (1947 - 2011) and stage outfits for Billy Connolly (b. 1942).

Byrne has exhibited his art in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, New York, Sweden and Croatia and was chosen as an artist for one of the Royal Mail's Millennium Stamps. He holds honorary degrees from the Universities of Dundee, Edinburgh and Strathclyde.

He had twins with the actress Tilda Swinton (b. 1960), who was his partner between 1989 and 2005. The couple lived together in Tain (Highland).

Latterly Byrne lived in Edinburgh. His funeral took place in St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Morningside and he lies buried in Dean Cemetery. He is remembered by the John Byrne Award.


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