Speaking from his Chicago apartment, Welsh reveals the long process that went into getting all the old hands back together for the sequel to Trainspotting, a film that has come to define independent British cinema.

"We got to a point maybe four years ago where we decided that it really had to happen; it was getting up to the 20th anniversary, and it was now or never: 'If we don't do this in the next few years, we're not going to do it at all.'"

Welsh goes on to talk about the antics that arose when he and the old crew from the 1990s got together and lived in Edinburgh, where they thrashed out a plan for T2.

Turning his head to global politics, the now American-based Welsh opines - with characteristic bluntness - "I suppose from a citizen's point of view, Trump's election sucks, but from an artist's point of view it's fucking great!"

With Skagboys being the prequel to Trainspotting and many of the characters featuring in follow-up books, Welsh also reveals whether the seminal story could see a third instalment. Here's hoping....

Irvine Welsh's interview with Olaf Tyaransen is in the new Hot Press, in stores now. You can Buy Hot Press 41-01 direct from hotpress.com

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