Dave Courtney's last video message as funeral wish shared after Krays comment
Dave Courtney has spoken for the last time in an emotional video message.
The famous London gangster - who is said to have inspired Vinnie Jones's character in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - was cremated in a private ceremony earlier this month. His management said he took his own life in the early hours of Sunday 22 October 2023 at his London home, which was called Camelot Castle.
In a posthumous video message published by Liam Galvin on YouTube this Wednesday, Dave is seen addressing his close friend Brendan McGirr what kind of send-off he wanted - and told him why he didn't want to compete with the massive funerals held for fellow London gangsters.
Dave Courtney had claimed to arrange security for Ronnie Kray's funeral in October 2000, and mentioned it in the new video. He told him: "Alright Brendan. I've left you in charge of everything. I have been in charge of, and run the biggest f***ing naughty boy funeral the country's ever had, with three quarters of a million people at it. And half a mile long car train - I don't wanna compete.
"I wanna have one where I don't have a funeral, I just come home in a box one day. My wish is, I'm not going to have a funeral, please believe me, they'll remember that more than any funeral I did get together - that's cool, that's f***ing cool".
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He posted an image of himself the day before he died (Facebook)
Dave at the 'Dangerous Game' film premiere in 2017 (James Shaw/REX/Shutterstock)The notorious gangster was born in Bermondsey in February 1959. He became infamous in London as a debt collector and claimed to have been shot, stabbed and had his nose almost bitten off. In later years he appeared in crime documentaries and films such as Clubbing to Death, and had six books published. He became a well-known public figure and would often suffix his name with the initials OBE, which he said stood for 'One Big Ego'.
His family revealed he had both cancer and arthritis, which became "too much" in his later years. A statement released on behalf of the family following his private cremation said they had been "touched by the outpouring of love and support since his passing" and were "so thankful for everyone who has made contact." An inquest at Inner London South Coroner's Court was told he had attempted to kill himself three months earlier, after recording a five-minute video explaining his plan.
The day before he died he had appeared 'happy and chirpy' after watching his beloved Charlton beat Reading 4-0 with two friends. He was pictured watching Charlton Athletic FC in what he described as a "cool, cool day". A picture shows a grinning Courtney enjoying hospitality treatment in The Valley stadium.
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.
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