Heartbroken Charles Bronson wrote to wife Paula Williamson the day before she passed away.
Britain’s most violent prisoner, 66, ended their nine-month marriage last year but they kept in touch.
He warned the former Corrie actress she’d be dead in two years if she didn’t give up booze.
The 38-year-old was found dead at home in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, after a suspected drugs overdose last Monday.
The news was broken to Bronson hours later in his cell at HMP Woodhill, Bucks.
He then called mum Eira, 88, who said: “I could tell Charlie was upset. He’d only written to her the day before.
“He never said a bad word about her. They just split up because she took drugs.
“I was very sad to hear about Paula as she was a nice girl. We kept in touch.”
Bronson is now romancing a 63-year-old Joan Collins lookalike from Manchester.
The Mirror reported earlier this week how Paula's partner would 'welcome' the prisoner attending her funeral.
Pete Jones told Sun Online that he would be happy to have Bronson at Paula's funeral, which is set in two weeks' time.
He said: "I would welcome him. We're hoping to bury her on the day of her birthday.
"If Charlie wanted to meet me, I would quite happily visit.
"Paula always thought it might be nice for me and him to meet, so he could see that she had met a genuine man who she loved very much."
