Three name changes, six world records, an award-winning artist and 41 years behind bars… The extraordinary life of Charles Bronson, Britain’s most violent prisoner
HE IS Britain's most infamous prisoner having spent more than 40 years behind bars for a string of violent crimes.
Charles Bronson, 64, had his first brush with the law aged just 13 when he was reprimanded for stealing.
And 51 years later he has spent most of his adult life in jail for crimes ranging from robbery, hostage taking and even holding a rooftop protest on top of prison.
This week, he raised eyebrows when it was revealed he will marry his Coronation Street actress girlfriend Paula Williamson after serenading her with a proposal.
Here we look back at his colourful life that has seen him have three name changes, achieve six world records and become an award-winning artist.
Early life
Bronson was born in Aberyswyth in 1952 and was one of three sons to respectable parents Eira and Joe Peterson.
His family were interested in politics, with his mum and dad later running a Conservative club in Wales and his aunt and uncle becoming mayor and mayoress of the town of Aberyswyth.
Speaking about him when he was a youngster, his aunt Eileen Parry, said Bronson was a "lovely lad".
She told the in 2000: "He was obviously bright and always good with children.
"He was gentle and mild-mannered, never a bully - he would defend the weak."
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Name changes
Throughout his life, Bronson has gone by four different aliases opting to change his name three times.
He was born Michael Gordon Peterson and kept that name until 1987, when he was advised to change it.
It came during a brief stint of freedom when he decided to try his hand as a bare-knuckle fighter and he was advised to go by the name of Charles Bronson, the same as the film actor.
His second name change came in 2001 when he married his second wife Fatema Saira Rehman, while he was in prison.
For a short time he converted to Islam and wanted to be known as Charles Ali Ahmed.
However, almost three years ago he changed his name by deed poll once again to Charles Salvador in honour of famous artist Salvador Dali.
His unusual jobs
Bronson has spent much of his adult life behind bars but has still managed to hold down several jobs.
In one of his more unusual professions, he spent time working as a circus stuntman.
He later tried his hand at bare knuckle fighting, where he reportedly killed a rottweiler with his hands.
His quest for love
Bronson has been married twice before and is now engaged to tie the knot for a third time.
His first wedding came in 1972 when he married former wife Irene at Chester Registry Office and five months later she gave birth to his only child, a son called Michael.
However, after five years the marriage broke down and the pair divorced with Irene later going on to remarry.
In 2001, Bronson met his second wife Fatema Saira Rehman after she saw his picture in a newspaper and started writing to him.
After just ten meetings, they married in 2001, and he converted to Islam and changed his name.
However, they too divorced after just four years together.
He was also briefly engaged to Lorraine Etherington, who too struck up a romance with the prisoner after becoming his penpal.
This week, it was revealed that Bronson now plans to marry Coronation Street actress Paula Williamson after the pair began writing to each other.
Williamson, who even has a necklace with the name 'Salvador' on it, recently spoke out, saying how the pair are a "perfect match".
His violent behaviour
He was first sentenced to seven years in jail over an armed robbery in 1974 – spending the majority of the next four decades in jail, most of that time in solitary confinement.
His first sentence was extended by nine months after he attacked a fellow prisoner with a glass jug, with the prison bird receiving an extra year in jail for holding a three-day rooftop protest that cost £100,000 in damages.
After a brief stint of freedom, he was found guilty of intent to robbery, sentenced to eight years jail in 1992.
His sentence was extended by eight years after he held a prison staff member hostage.
He again became involved in a hostage situation, extending his sentence more.
He was finally given a life sentence after kidnapping a prison teacher in 1999, with the violent criminal investigated for a number of other disturbances since, including allegedly throwing a bottle of human waste at a Muslim prisoner.
His strict fitness regime
In 2015, Bronson revealed how he sticks to a strict eating and fitness regime as he resides in solidarity confinement at Wakefield prison.
He claimed he cut out eating chocolate and replaced it with healthy snacks and also drinks eight pints of water every day.
His workout regime reportedly includes running around in the prison yard and trying to complete 1,000 press ups every day.
Bronson is also renowned for his strength, having reportedly bent metal cell doors with his bare hands.
How he achieved world records
The 64-year-old has reportedly held up to six world records over the years, many relating to his strength and fitness.
He also is said to hold an unofficial record for the most prison rooftop protests by any UK inmate.
While in jail he is believed to have taken hostages in 10 sieges, attacked 30 officers and caused £500,000 of damage in rooftop protests.
His award-winning art work
Despite his violent behaviour, during his time behind bars Bronson has grown a love of art, especially surrealism.
His drawings, some of which shed life on his time in jail, have sold for up to £1,000 and have been displayed in places such as art galleries and tube stations.
Bronson's work has seen him win 11 awards from prison arts charity the Koestler Trust.
However, in 2001 he took education worker Phil Danielson hostage for 44 hours for criticising his art and was later sentenced to life.
Becoming a published author
As well as having a love of art, Bronson has also become a published author and cartoonist.
He has written 11 books while in prison including a health and fitness guide, where he gives tips on how he has become so strong.
However, he does not profit from the sale of the books and any cash he makes from them is donated to charities.
How his life was turned into a movie
The convict's life was recently played out on the big screen,with actor Tom Hardy playing him in the film Bronson.
However, the movie is only loosely based on Bronson's life, although it is believed he has been given permission to view it.
He reportedly described as "theatrical, creative, brilliance" and even chopped off part of his moustache and sent it to Tom who played him.