Ronnie Knight has died at the age of 89 after battling with Parkinson’s disease over the last few years.
His condition was said to have deteriorated before he contracted pneumonia and died in a nursing home in Cambridgeshire.
He was jailed in 1995 for his involvement in a £6million armed robbery at a Security Express depot in east London after a decade on the run in Spain.
He denied involvement in the robbery but pleaded guilty to handling stolen bank notes. Knight was released from prison on parole after three years and led a quiet life in Cambridge.
Knight always denied that he was a ‘gangster’ and preferred the term ‘loveable rascal’.
The former nightclub owner was married three times before his death, but who were his ex-wives? Here is everything you need to know.
Ronnie Knight died at age 89 after contracting pneumonia, although a prolific ‘gangster’ who was arrested for his involvement in an armed robbery, he spent his final days in Cambridge
Ronnie Knight Barbara Windsor while still married to his first wife, the two married in 1964 and were together for 21 years until Barbara requested a divorce
Who was Barbara Windsor?
Barbara Windsor was Knight’s second wife, the two were married in London in 1964 and divorced just over two decades later in 1985.
Barbara became a household name as the buxom blonde Daphne Honeybutt in the Carry On films and later joined EastEnders as the long-standing character Peggy Mitchell.
She played the Queen Vic’s landlady from 1994, coining the iconic phrase ‘Get outta my pub’ before being killed off in 2016.
Actress Barbara Windsor pictured with Ronnie Knight. He has passed away at the age of 89
Knight was married to Dame Barbara when he was an east London nightclub boss who knew the notorious criminal brothers Ronald and Reginald Kray.
The flashy nightclub owner was already married when he met her, and later confessed: ‘I’ve loved all the ladies in my life. But I found what I wanted with Barbara.’
They did not have any children during their 21 year marriage, and Barbara had a prolific affair with her Carry On co-star Sid James.
Barbara requested a divorce when Knight fled to Spain after being wanted by police in connection with the £6million Security Express robbery in 1983.
Knight didn’t say goodbye to Barbara when he jetted to Spain, later saying she was ‘fixed on this showbusiness thing.’
He denied that he fled because of the robbery, saying: ‘I just woke up that morning and thought, I’m going.’
Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014, she kept her illness private and her husband Scott Mitchell announced her illness to the public four years later.
In her final months Barbara was moved to a care home, she died at aged 83 in December 2020.
Knight was jailed for his involvement in a £6million armed robbery at a Security Express depot in Shoreditch after a decade on the run in Spain
Knight denied he was a ‘gangster’, preferring instead the term ‘loveable rascal’
Dame Barbara pouring champagne for her then- husband Knight with her mother Rose
Knight didn’t say goodbye to Barbara when he jetted to Spain, later saying she was ‘fixed on this showbusiness thing.’
Who is Sue Haylock?
Knight’s third and final marriage was to Sue Haylock, the two married in 1987 just two years after his divorce from the iconic actress Barbara.
Their wedding took place in the town of Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain.
Knight had built a villa there in 1975, years before he fled there as a fugitive in 1984.
Sue and Ronnie did not have children together, and separated in 1994.
Knight had been supported by his ex-wife Sue in the last few years of his life, she was described by a friend as a ‘tower of strength’ during his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The friend added: ‘A lot of people are going to be upset to hear the news about his death. He was a rogue – but a very loveable one.’
Sue Haylock (pictured above) looked after Ronnie Knight in his final days as he battled against Parkinson’s disease
Who is Elizabeth White?
Before marrying the famous actress Barbara, Knight was married to Elizabeth white.
They married in 1954 and divorced before 1964, he was still married to Elizabeth when he met Barbara.
Knight had two children from his marriage to Elizabeth, daughter Lorraine born in 1956 and son Gary in 1959.
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