Dame Barbara Windsor’s gangland ex-husband Ronnie Knight dies

Dame Barbara Windsor’s gangland ex-husband Ronnie Knight dies

Metro.co.uk - TV & Soap·2023-06-16 07:02

Ronnie Knight died in a nursing home (Picture: Victor Crawshaw/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

Dame Barbara Windsor’s ex-husband, Ronnie Knight, has died.

Ronnie, 89, had battled Parkinson’s and passed away on Monday in a nursing home in Cambridge.

A family friend said that ‘his condition had deteriorated over the last few weeks. He got pneumonia and never recovered.’

Ronnie was supported by his third ex-wife, Sue Haylock, during the illness, with the family friend describing her as a ‘tower of strength’ for him.

Ronnie was part of a gang who carried out the Security Express heist back in 1983.He went on the run to Spain and became one of the ‘Famous Five’ – all wanted for the robbery.

He was then jailed for seven years for handling the robbery proceedings.

In 1980, Ronnie was acquitted of murdering Alfredo Zomparelli, who was nicknamed ‘Italian Tony’.

Ronnie met Barbara while he was running clubs in Soho (Picture: REX/Shutterstock

He was killed in revenge after he took the life of Ronnie’s brother in a stabbing in 1970.

In his book, Ronnie detailed how he paid hitman Nicky Gerard to carry out the murder after his brother’s death.

Ronnie met Barbara Windsor, the Carry On and EastEnders legend, while running clubs in Soho.

Barbara supported Ronnie as the trial got underway (Picture: Getty)

Ronnie hired a hitman after his brother was stabbed to death (Picture: Getty)

During the trial following Alfredo’s death, Barbara supported Ronnie, who was acquitted during the conclusion.

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The couple were married from 1964-1985.

Following his passing, the family friend added The Sun: ‘A lot of people are going to be a upset to hear the news about his death. He was a rogue – but a very loveable one.’

In 2000, Dame Barbara married her now-widow, Scott Mitchell.

Scott often talks about his life with and without Barbara (Pictures: REX/PA)

Barbara, who played Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, passed away in 2020,after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

In a statement, Scott said at the time: ‘Her passing was from Alzheimer’s/dementia and Barbara eventually died peacefully and I spent the last seven days by her side.

‘Myself, her family and friends will remember Barbara with love, a smile and affection for the many years of her love, fun, friendship and brightness she brought to all our lives and the entertainment she gave to so many thousands of others during her career.’

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