Charles Bronson phones pub on karaoke night, dedicates song to his "old mate Ronnie Kray" and belts out Frank Sinatra - from max-security prison

Charles Bronson has made history after taking part in a pub karaoke night while behind bars. 

The UKs longest serving prisoner appeared via video link from HMP Woodhill to perform for customers at The Hilderthorpe pub in Bridlington on Saturday.  

The 72-year-old charmed pub goers with a rendition of Frank Sinatras My Way, which he dedicated to his old mate and notorious London gangster Ronnie Kray.

Bronson, who has been locked up for just over half a century, is allowed a phone call each night from the maximum security prison in Milton Keynes. 

His guest appearance was organised by Julie Shaw, the ghostwriter of Bronson’s book Charles Bronson - Inside And Out, who also hosts the pubs karaoke night. 

Announcing the news on Facebook, Julie wrote: For the first time ever, Britain’s longest serving prisoner, Charles Bronson, is going to sing live from his maximum security prison, over the phone, to entertain the customers! 

Let’s have you all down there to show your support. 9.00pm he will sing I did it my way! No prisoner in history has ever done this before and the press will be there to capture it.

Video footage obtained by The Mirror shows the pub descend into silence during the performance before erupting into applause at the end of the song, as Bronson can be heard saying all the best to everybody, I love you all.

Charles Bronson (pictured in 1997) has made history after taking part in a pub karaoke night at The Hilderthorpe pub in Bridlington while behind bars 

Julie Shaw, the ghostwriter of Bronson¿s book, who also hosts the pubs karaoke night, can be seen performing with Charles as he appeared via video link

Pub goers appeared lost for words as Charles performed a rendition of Frank Sinatras My Way, which he dedicated to his old mate and notorious London gangster Ronnie Kray

Bronson, whose real name is Michael Peterson, was first locked up for armed robbery in 1974, aged 22, and since then has developed a reputation for being Britains most violent prisoner. 

He  was given seven years for the robbery but bad behaviour inside gave him a reputation as a dangerous inmate, and he wasnt release until 1987.

Bronson then spent just 69 days as a free man before being rearrested and jailed again after robbing a jewellery shop.

He was sentenced to another seven years and, bar another brief spell of freedom in 1992, has been in prison since. 

During his time inside he has taken 11 hostages in nine prison sieges and has attacked at least 20 prison officers and caused £500,000 in damage in rooftop protests.

Eventually, in 1999, he received a life sentence for kidnapping a prison art teacher. His last conviction for a violent offence was in 2014 when he was tried for assault.

The appeal was only the second in English legal history to be held in public. Afterwards, Bronsons son, George Bamby, said: I would have loved Charlie to have been released, but completely respect the decision of the Parole Board.

In a statement, the board said: After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress that Mr Salvador has made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearings, the panel was not satisfied that Mr Salvador was suitable for release.

Bronson (pictured), 72, whose real name is Michael Peterson, was first locked up for armed robbery in 1974

Notorious prisoner Charles Bronson is seen leaving the High Court in London in May, 2001 

Bronson seen at his parole hearing in a sketch by the artist Elizabeth Cook 

Nor did the panel recommend to the Secretary of State that he should be transferred to an open prison. 

The panel noted that Mr Salvador has spent most of the last 48 years in custody and that much of this time has been in conditions of segregation.

The panel accepted that Mr Salvador genuinely wants to progress and that he is motivated to work towards his release. It thought that there was evidence of improved self-control and better emotional management.

Bronson suffers from PTSD because of his brutal treatment in prison, a previous hearing was told. 

The infamous criminal is set to go before the parole board later this year for the ninth time and final time and there is a prospect that he may be released.

Adrian Wallace, 84, the former deputy governor of Hull Prison who was taken hostage there by Bronson in 1994, is supporting Bronsons application.

After the last Parole Review hearing in March 2023 Mr Wallace said that the safety of the public is the most important thing and pointed to Bronsons total lack of contrition or remorse.

But now, in what he admitted was a volte-face, the retired officer says he has given his blessing to Bronsons freedom.

In a carefully reasoned statement, he concluded that the authorities should grasp the nettle, adding: There is no evidence that he poses massive risk to the public, with this thought in mind perhaps it is time he is released on licence which will certainly be a culture shock for him.