Notorious life inmate Charles Bronson has reportedly marked Valentines Day by asking his actor girlfriend to marry him.

Bronson, who has frequently been called Britain’s most violent prisoner, is said to have popped the question when Paula Williamson, formerly an actor on Coronation Street, visited him in HMP Wakefield yesterday.

The armed robber, who is one of the most high-profile criminals in Britain, is reported to have initially planned to propose to her by having a ring delivered to her house and singing to her on the phone on Valentines Day. However, he is said to have pushed the proposal forward so he could ask her in person on the prison visit.

Miss Williamson, 36, who has been in both Coronation Street and Emmerdale, told The Sun before the meeting: "We are so in love.

"I've had relationships with both men and women in the past but none of them come close to my love for Charlie.

"He's so eccentric, but so am I. It's a perfect match."

Bronson has spent 37 years of his over 40 years in prison in solitary confinement after continuously having his sentence increased for attacking prison staff and taking them hostage. The prisoner, who has been featured in numerous books and studies on penal reform, is currently serving a life sentence for robbery and kidnap.

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The inmate changed his name to Charles Salvador around three years ago in tribute to the late artist. He has become known for surrealist paintings he has created while imprisoned. At the time, he said his new name embodied his calmer approach to life.

In 1999, Bronson was handed a life sentence for holding a prison art teacher hostage for 44 hours for criticising some of his sketches.

Ms Williamson, who appeared on Coronation Street in May 2008, June 2011 and May 2012 as a Nurse at Weatherfield General, said she had been in a relationship with Bronson for five months.

“I know he has a public image of being a violent prisoner, but in reality, he is so different.”