Revealed: How Dave Courtney gushed about being ‘so proud’ of his daughters when one became an award-winning singer-songwriter and another an Army Private

• The gangster took his own life on Sunday morning after secretly battling cancer
• He would boast about his daughters, Lillie, 20 and Courtney, 27, on social media 

Gangster Dave Courtney took to social media to gush about being ‘so proud’ of his daughters when one became an award-winning singer-songwriter and another an Army Private.

The 64-year-old, who was secretly battling cancer before he took his own life Sunday morning, would often boast about his daughters on his social media.

When his youngest daughter Lillie Eliza had her passing out military parade in Winchester, Hants, at the end of March, her father posted about being ‘very proud’ of her.

Similarly, when his eldest daughter Courtney Courtney won Rising Star of the Year at the Boisdale Music Awards hosted in Canary Wharf, he was pictured celebrating alongside her and posted ‘I couldn’t be prouder’.

But the gangster was found with a gunshot wound and a pillow over his face at his famous Camelot Castle pad yesterday.

Dave Courtney and his wife JennyBean celebrating with Courtney Courtney at the awards

Courtney pictured with his youngest daughter, Lillie Eliza Barry, a Private in the army

Courtney was one of Britain’s best-known gangsters through his affiliation with the Krays 

Courtney was one of Britain’s best-known gangsters and made a name for himself through his affiliation with famous London East End hardmen such as the Krays, Roy Shaw and Lenny McLean. 

His daughter Lillie Eliza Barry, aged 20, recently became a Private in The Staff and Personnel Support (SPS) Branch of the Adjutant General’s Corps, stationed in Winchester.

She passed her training in March, after which she would have been assigned to a unit as a Military Personnel Administrator. 

Her father posted a picture of her holding her certificate after she passed, saying: ‘Very proud of my daughter for completing her next level of training with the British Army! Can’t wait to see what you get up to next!’

Lillie Eliza Barry, aged 20, recently became a Private in The Staff and Personnel Support (SPS) 

Her father posted a picture of her holding her certificate after she passed, saying: ‘Very proud of my daughter for completing her next level of training with the British Army! Can’t wait to see what you get up to next!’

She passed her training in March, attending a passing out parade in Winchester, after which she would have been assigned to a unit as a Military Personnel Administrator

His eldest daughter, 27-year-old Courtney, released her first official music video in July this year.

Titled ‘Mum’s Car’, it’s racked up 12,000 views on YouTube.

READ MORE – Dave Courtney’s family reveal his hidden health battles

Her second song, Overthinking, was released just two weeks ago, reaching 5,900 views.

She also won Rising Star of the Year at The Boisdale Music Awards 2023, with her father dressed in a light blue suit pictured beside her.

She posted on Instagram: ‘Honestly don’t know how I robbed that, but your girl won ‘RISING STAR OF THE YEAR 2023’ at the annual music awards last night! So many firsts in 1 night.. 

‘Not only did I get to perform on the same stage as some absolute legends!

‘It was my first time EVER performing my own material! I walked away with a bloody award!! And I got to do it all with my mum and father beside me.’

Her mother and her band, Dishygram, were also photographed with the singer.

He posted on social media: ‘Congratulations to my Courtney Courtney on winning best newcomer at The Boisdale Music awards 2023 last night I couldn’t be prouder.’

Courtney posted on social media: ‘Congratulations to my Courtney Courtney on winning best newcomer at The Boisdale Music awards 2023 last night I couldn’t be prouder’

A statement had appeared on Courtney’s Twitter page on Sunday announcing he ‘tragically took his own life’ at his Plumstead home ‘with a firearm’.

In a statement by his family this morning, they said: ‘On October 22 Dave made the decision to “stop the ride”.

READ MORE – Dave Courtney told podcast ‘I am the f***ing afterlife’ and revealed he was ready to ’embrace’ death two months before gangster was found dead at home 

‘He had lived an incredible, colourful rock n roll life which he touched the hearts of so many.

‘The physical pain of living the lifestyle he chose, especially due to the pain of both cancer and arthritis in his later years, became too much.

‘So, rather than be a burden to his family and friends, he chose to “stop the ride” and take his way out.

 ‘In his own immortal words, “stop the ride, I want to get off”.’

Scotland Yard is investigating his ‘unexpected’ death and a heavy police presence remains outside his home today. No arrests have been made.

The gangster’s death comes just three months after he was hauled to court after police found weapons in his home. 

He was charged with housemate McGirr, 57, who runs an industry prop company, after knuckledusters, daggers and throwing stars were spotted.

Pictures inside the property which featured in magazines had shown weapons on the wall.

But on December 29, 2022, when local police visited the address to discuss Courtney’s New Year organised bare knuckle fights, they took exception.

Courtney and McGirr, who say they had no idea they were illegal and had them for years, were hauled before Bromley Magistrates’ Court in July accused of possession of offensive weapons.

Scotland Yard is investigating his ‘unexpected’ death and a heavy police presence remains 

Dave Courtney pictured outside his ‘Camelot Castle’ home in October 2022

Courtney – well-known for his white suit – beat the charge, which was withdrawn.

That happened after film props company boss McGill pleaded guilty to illegally possessing the item.

In the night before his death, he seemed in good spirits, his neighbour Sheila Wellcome told The Sun.

Courtney had enjoyed the ‘full works’ having a three course meal at The Valley watching Charlton, who beat Reading 4-0 in a League One match. 

A Facebook post on his profile showed him dressed in a white shirt, blue waistcoat and red tie as he posed and smiled with friends.

He wrote: ‘An wat a cool cool day it’s all turning out to be.’

But Ms Wellcome said he was suffering with arthritis and could barely roll a cigarette.

The 68-year-old grandmother told The Sun he appeared in good spirits when she handed him a cigarette last night and he was laughing and joking before he said he was tired and went to bed.

‘I just can’t believe I’m never going to see him again. It’s so sad,’ she said.

She said police would occasionally come to his home to check his 12 decommissioned firearms which he treated as ornaments.

The grandmother added: ‘He seemed happy. He’d just got his driving licence back and was getting a new Peugeot which he was really excited about.’

 Tributes for the much-loved gangster have poured in on social media

Courtney was found with a gunshot wound and a pillow over his face at his pad yesterday

Courtney with his wife Jennifer at the Elvis Forever concert in Hyde Park, London in 2010

The Metropolitan Police said officers attended a property on Chestnut Rise, in Plumstead, south-east London. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and his death is being treated as unexpected and is under investigation. No arrests have been made and his family have been informed, the force said.

Born in Bermondsey, south London, Courtney became infamous as a knuckle-duster wielding debt collector, previously claiming to have been shot, stabbed and had his nose almost bitten off – before they sewed it back on.

He claimed to have been found not guilty in 19 separate trials but in January 2009 he was given an 18-month conditional discharge at Bristol Crown Court, on a charge of possessing live ammunition.

The prolific gangster is said to have been the inspiration for Vinnie Jones’ character Big Chris in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. 

Courtney published six books – including titles such as Dodgy Dave’s Little Black Book – and recorded a version of ‘I Fought The Law’ with Scottish pop-punks Mute.

He referred to himself as Dave Courtney OBE – ‘One Big Ego’ – and has a painted depiction of himself as a knight in his south London house.

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