Community Hero to Villain: Wayne Devlin to Appear in Victor Thriller Series

Manchester’s own Wayne Devlin BCAa — widely known for his years of charitable work, community fundraising, and his longstanding career as a jazz swing vocalist — is about to take an unexpected leap into the world of international thriller fiction. And not as the good guy.

Wayne will appear as a major villain in the upcoming installment of the Victor series by internationally bestselling author Tom Wood, whose globe-trotting assassin Victor has captivated readers across the world through more than a dozen high-stakes novels.

It’s a twist no one saw coming from a man celebrated for helping others — especially as Wayne has now officially retired from singing, having performed his final ever show at a charity ball for Nik and Eva Speakman.

The event, organized by Nigel Hall — the man behind Britain’s Got Talent and numerous other TV hits — raised funds for Trauma Research UK. After decades of performing for good causes, Wayne chose this event as the moment to bring his musical career to a close.

The World of Victor: A Shadowy, High-Stakes Universe

For those unfamiliar with Tom Wood’s work, the Victor novels follow a highly disciplined, ruthlessly efficient freelance assassin known only as Victor. He has no attachments, no past he’s willing to acknowledge, and no loyalties beyond survival.

Across the series, Victor moves through a world of:

• Global espionage
• Intelligence manipulations
• Criminal networks
• Secret government agendas
• High-risk international operations

It’s a morally grey landscape where every alliance is temporary and every enemy is lethal. Victor’s adversaries are never simple villains; they’re often masterminds, strategists, or operatives as dangerous as he is.

And now, one of them will be named Wayne Devlin.

From Interviews to Friendship: How Wayne and Tom Wood Connected

Wayne first met Tom Wood through his media work, interviewing him for his newspaper column. Their rapport was immediate. Shortly after, Wayne hosted Tom again — this time on his Sunday morning radio show — for an in-depth conversation about writing, character creation, discipline, and the psychology of crafting an assassin like Victor.

What began as a professional interaction evolved into a genuine friendship, one that endured long after the interviews ended. That connection is exactly why Tom Wood offered to immortalize Wayne in his next novel.

When asked whether he wanted to be portrayed as a hero or villain, Wayne didn’t hesitate.

“I told Tom I wanted to be the baddest character he’s ever written,” Wayne says. “People know me for charity work and helping others, so I thought it would be fun to be the complete opposite on the page, and Tom agreed wholeheartedly.”

A Real-Life Good Guy Turned Fictional Bad Guy

Wayne’s transformation from real-life philanthropist to fictional villain is as striking as it is entertaining. His real-world reputation — a singer who spent his career raising money for others — makes the contrast even sharper.

Fans of Tom Wood will know that his villains are never clichés. They’re intelligent, disciplined, and unnervingly capable. For a character bearing Wayne’s name to stand beside them promises something significant — a villain with narrative impact, psychological depth, and true menace.

“I can’t wait to see how Tom shapes the character,” Wayne says. “It’s surreal and exciting to be written into a world I’ve admired for so long.”

What Happens Next

Plot details, release dates, and the precise nature of Wayne’s fictional alter ego remain under wraps. But anticipation is already building among readers — and among Mancunians who’ve followed Wayne’s long career in entertainment and charity.

One thing is certain: when the new Victor novel hits shelves, readers will be watching for one name in particular.

The real Wayne Devlin may have retired from the stage — but on the page, he’s about to make one hell of an entrance.