ITV's drama, A Cruel Story: The Ruth Ellis Story, revisits the life of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain - but what happened to her admirer Desmond Cussen? Lucy Boynton portrays Ruth Ellis, who was arrested after shooting her lover David Blakely (Laurie Davidson) in 1955 following a tumultuous relationship.
The series, inspired by Carol Ann Lee's book, A Fine Day For A Hanging, will shed light on the emotional and physical abuse Ruth endured from David Blakely. The four-part series also covers the public outrage over the death penalty and the thousands of people who petitioned against her execution.
A key character in the story is Desmond Cussen, Ruth's ardent admirer and occasional lover, who gets entangled in Ruth's toxic love triangle with Blakely. Desmond had an affair with Ruth and she lived with him when things were rocky with David.
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But what more do we know about Desmond Cussen and what happened to him after Ruth Ellis' death?
Who was Desmond Cussen?
reports Desmond Cussen was born in Epsom, Surrey, in 1923, andcame from a wealthy family. At 17, Cussen joined the Royal Air Force during World War II.
He trained as a pilot in South Africa, primarily flying heavy bombers, a vital part of Britain's air force during the war. He piloted Lancaster bombers until the end of the war.
After leaving the military, he entered the business and got involved in his family's tobacco business, Cussen and Co.
Living in the heart of London, Cussen was a regular at clubs and bars where he met Ruth Ellis, the manager of the Little Club in Knightsbridge. He was instantly taken with Ellis and they developed a close relationship, both emotionally and financially.
Cussen even offered his Devonshire Street home as a sanctuary for Ruth from David Blakely. There are various accounts suggesting that Ellis and Cussen were romantically involved.
What happened to Desmond Cussen?
The execution of his dear friend and lover, Ruth Ellis, at Holloway Prison on July 13, 1955, left him shattered. Ellis had claimed that Cussen provided her with the gun, taught her how to use it, and drove her to the pub on that ill-fated night.
However, Cussen denied ever giving her the weapon. He was never prosecuted or officially implicated in any crimes related to the case.
Following Ellis' death, Cussen relocated to in his 60s. He spent several decades there before passing away in 1991, reportedly battling alcoholism.
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story is available on ITVX, with episodes airing weekly on ITV1 at 9pm every Wednesday.
