TACITURN Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh has revealed he belted out a rendition of the Bay City Rollers’ classic Bye Bye Baby live on Bulgarian television.

The deadpan writer famed for his hard-hitting social sagas was called out by fellow Scots author Val McDermid during a live BBC interview to mark the start of the Edinburgh festivals.

The Herald: Taciturn: Irvine WelshTaciturn: Irvine Welsh

Ms McDermid, who is performing with a band of authors the Funloving Crime Writers, recounted the moment Mr Welsh channelled his inner Roller.

She said: “I have seen you sing live in front of the cameras on Bulgarian television when on a late night chat show Irvine did a brilliant rendition of Bye Bye Baby, which is etched into my memory."

The Herald: Bay City RollersBay City Rollers

Asked if it was true, he said: “Yeah, it is.

“It was kind of improvised singing.

“They asked me to sing something Scottish so I just went for it and sang Bye Bye Baby.”

While Welsh was technically not a crime writer, Ms McDermid said “we could probably let you in if you want”.

Mr Welsh had said: “I’m going to come along and heckle them.”

The Herald: Val McDermid called him out: Val McDermid called him out: