Gangland criminal Ronnie Knight has died aged 89.
Barbara Windsor's crook ex-husband passed away on Monday in a nursing home after succumbing to Parkinson's disease.
A family friend told the Sun: "His condition had deteriorated over the last few weeks. He got pneumonia and never recovered."
The gang member, who was married and divorced three times, was supported by his third ex-wife, Sue Haylock, as his condition worsened.
The friend continued: "Sue was a tower of strength for Ronnie. "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."
On 4 January 1995, 16 days before his 61st birthday, Ronnie was sentenced to seven years in prison for handling £314,813 in stolen money from the 1983 £6m armed robbery at a Security Express depot in East London.
Ronnie had initially gone on the run to Spain, becoming one of the so-called ‘Famous Five’, who ended up in the Costa del Crime (Sol).
In 1980, Ronnie was acquitted of murdering Alfredo Zomparelli, who was nicknamed ‘Italian Tony’.
He was killed in revenge after he stabbed and killed Ronnie’s brother in 1970.
The gangster met EastEnders icon Barbara while running clubs in Soho. They tied the knot in 1964 before divorcing in 1985.
Barbara also dated gangster Reggie Kray and his older brother Charlie.
While she was married to Ronnie she had a three-year affair with Carry On co-star Sid James.
The much-loved actress once told The Mirror: "He'd been pestering me for months. At the time, I didn't even fancy him.
"But he obviously thought I was this raving, sexy little thing and I thought if I did the dirty deed he'd leave me alone."
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