Coro St star opens up about marrying Britain's most notorious criminal

Newlywed Paula Williamson has given an insight into married life with Britain's most notorious prisoner, their unconventional nuptials and her solo honeymoon. 

The actress told ITV's Lorraine that her new husband Charles Bronson - now known as Charles Salvador - was the 'most warm, genuine and compassionate soul' she had ever met.

The pair tied the knot at high-security HMP Wakefield last week, where they walked down the aisle to the Death March and the groom wore socks adorned with his trademark handlebar moustache.

The 37-year-old said she 'absolutely adores' Bronson, who has been behind bars for some 44 years, and hit back at critics who have labelled their union a publicity stunt.

Speaking to Lorraine, the newlywed revealed how her romance with the inmate blossomed as they penned letters to one another over three years.

They finally met a year ago before enjoying a whirlwind engagement. 

Their ceremony last week was attended by just four people and prison guards, before the new bride had to enjoy her reception and honeymoon alone as her husband returned to his cell. 

Paula told Lorraine: 'I absolutely adore the man. I love him.

'He's one of the most warm, genuine, compassionate souls I've ever come across in my life. I adore him completely.'

She also revealed how 'lonely' she felt as she went on her honeymoon with a friend. 

'Charlie kept saying enjoy yourself. In all honesty I felt very lonely. I spent two days in my hotel room, more or less, didn't really want to go out or do much. 

'I did have one nice day on the beach. I kept hearing his voice in my mind saying make sure you enjoy every second… it was lonely.' 

On the backlash that she is 'attention seeking' and out to write a 'tell-all' book, she said: 'I've heard it all now 1,000 times over. Over and over and over again. 

'I had a very, very comfortable life before I got with Charlie. There's no reason for me to be doing this other than to say I love the man.

'This man's never killed anybody, he's never raped anybody, he's never hurt a child. He's served his time and well over for the crimes he's committed. 

'And we don't condone the crimes he's committed but he's 14 and a half years over what he should have served now. [He's served] 44 years in total.'

She then revealed she believes her husband should be released from prison, as she gets set to deliver a petition to Downing Street on December 7 campaigning for his freedom.

Asked if she believes he will one day be released she insisted: 'Yes, yes I do. 

'I have to otherwise it would be a bit silly getting married to him if I didn't ever believe we were going to have a life outside. I 100 per cent believe that he's going to be out.'

Paula said her husband 'looked beautiful, really, really handsome' on their wedding day. 

She added: 'He was wearing a white jacket, red tie, black shirt, he had braces, he had little socks with a handlebar moustache on as well. 

'It was as lovely as we could possibly make it. 

'[We had] Two hours [together]. Not by ourselves completely. 

'We could go and sit on the sofa and have a chat and a kiss and whatnot. We had a dance as well. 

 'Credit where it's due to the staff at HMP Wakefield, they made it as lovely as they possibly could for us. 

'I had to be searched before I went in… the ladies were so respectful of me.

'When I got to the front and I was with him stood there nothing else mattered.'

'We did not consummate the wedding.' 

Guests at the ceremony were treated to a buffet consisted of mince pies and Viennetta ice cream, and Paula had her first dance with a Bronson lookalike. 

She partied at a hotel just a stone's throw from the prison, where she went to bed at 10.30pm before flying off to Malta for her honeymoon accompanied by a photographer.

Paula, who once starred in Coronation Street, is Bronson's third wife and said she 'felt like Michael Jackson' after she had to sneak into the prison under a blanket as photographers camped outside trying to get a snap of her £1,000 dress.

Bronson, now 64, has spent most of his life in prison and may never be freed but his new bride insists their marriage will last. 

On their big day last Tuesday, locals watched on as the unusual wedding procession made its way to Wakefield jail.

The bridal party was driven in a Mercedes by professional Bronson lookalike Tim Crowley. 

And the ceremony itself, held in the prison's parole room, was witnessed by Bronson's cousin, Stuart Godfrey, and long-term supporters Rod and Linda Harrison and Tim Price.

The groom donned a white jacket, black shirt with a red tie and carnation for the day, with Union Jack shoes and socks adorned with a picture of his moustache.  

Paula's wedding ring bears the date of the big day as well as Bronson's old jail number, 1314. 

The reception was held at York House Hotel and was attended by gangster Dave Courtney and Katie Price's ex Alex Reid. 

Cheers broke out among guests as Paula called for the release of Bronson, who was jailed for armed robbery in 1974 but has seen time added on to his sentence for multiple violent outbursts inside. 

Of their future, Paula said: 'I've got a lot of campaigning to do. Eventually yes [he will get out]. It's progression we're looking for now. He's doing all he can.

'The man can't do anymore and I'll do all I can. We're now a team and we're together and this is it.'

This article was first published on dailymail.co.uk and is reproduced here with permission.