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Charles Bronson fiancée Paula Williamson: ‘I know it’s a risk but he’s changed’

The fiancée of Britain’s most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson has denied she is marrying him as part of a publicity stunt.

In an exclusive interview with Good Morning Britain, Paula Williamson admitted she is taking a “huge risk” in marrying Bronson.

The soap actress, 36, got engaged to Bronson, 64, last week, even though he is currently serving a sentence in HMP Wakefield.

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She told Good Morning Britain presenters Piers Morgan and Susannah Reid that she has only met Bronson, jailed for a number of violent crimes, four times.

In the face of accusations from Morgan that her relationship with Bronson is fake, she insisted it was the “real deal”.

Paula Williamson is marrying Charles Bronson (Pictures: ITV/Rex)
Paula Williamson is marrying Charles Bronson (Pictures: ITV/Rex)

Ms Williamson, from Stoke-on-Trent, said she understands why people are questioning her decision to marry Bronson.

“Charlie’s the first to admit that he’s done a lot of terrifying things and I’m aware of those things,” she told Good Morning Britain.

“However, the Charlie that I know is not the same person that’s committed all those offences while he’s been incarcerated.

Ms Williamson was questioned by Piers Morgan and Susannah Reid (Picture: ITV)
Ms Williamson was questioned by Piers Morgan and Susannah Reid (Picture: ITV)

“He is that person, he’s committed these offences and he’s made these mistakes, but he’s a different character now.”

She said she is hopeful Bronson could be released from prison later this year after a parole hearing, but accepted that they will get married behind bars.

“We’ll get married in prison, within the prison chapel, depending on where he is at that point,” she said.

Actress Paula Williamson has been in a relationship with Bronson for five months (Picture: @deviantdemonica/Twitter)
Actress Paula Williamson got engaged to Bronson last week (Picture: @deviantdemonica/Twitter)

“I believe there’s about ten guests allowed and there’ll be a selection of Charlie and I’s family friends.”

Ms Williamson, who has had small parts in Emmerdale and Coronation Street, denied it was a publicity stunt.

“If I was doing it for any kind of publicity reasons, I wouldn’t get married to Britain’s most notorious prisoner, it would make no sense,” she said.

“This is going to brand me now. I’m branded now. I love him.”

Ms Williamson wore a band bearing her fiancé's name (Picture: ITV)
Ms Williamson wore a band bearing her fiancé’s name (Picture: ITV)

During the interview, she showed off a band on her arm with “Charles Salvador” on it – Bronson changed his name in 2014 in tribute to artist Salvador Dali.

She said the pair connected when she wrote to him in prison after reading a book he had written.

“I found his spirit phenomenal and very inspiring,” she said.

“I’m not frightened at all. Charlie – and this may seem completely bizarre to many people – he’s a gentle giant and he is a gentleman. He’s very, very caring. He’s never hurt a woman, he’s never hurt a child.

Bronson is currently in HMP Wakefield (Picture: SWNS)
Bronson is currently in HMP Wakefield (Picture: SWNS)

“He’s the first to admit his crimes, but he has served his time for those crimes. He’s served fourteen years over his time for those crimes.

“I do know Charlie and this is the real deal.

“If only I could have met him outside of this situation how wonderful that would be.

“However, he is where he is and I’ve met him and I can’t deny chemistry, I can’t deny when you fall in love with somebody, I cannot deny that.

Charles Bronson has spent 41 years in prison (Picture: Rex)
Charles Bronson has spent 41 years in prison (Picture: Rex)

“I’m taking a huge risk here – I’ve been sacked from one of my jobs already. I’m promoting Charlie’s cause.”

Bronson, who has convictions for armed robbery, wounding with intent and grievous bodily harm, has spent 37 of his 41 years in prison in solitary confinement.

Bronson, whose life was turned into a film in 2008 starring Tom Hardy, has been married twice before.

He married his first wife Irene in 1972 and they divorced five years later. In 2001, he married Fatema Saira Rehman after she visited him in prison ten times. They divorced four years later.