British acting legend, 68, reveals new life abroad ‘in the sun’ ahead of retirement
'I’m getting old ain’t I.'
British actor Ray Winstone has revealed he wants to ‘rest in the sun’ more in Italy and ditch the UK – but his children keep him tied to his homeland.
The Sexy Beast star, 68, has been spending more time in Sicily in recent years and hopes to make the island his permanent home so he can enjoy a life in the sunshine with his wife Elaine.
However, he’s still going ‘backwards and forwards’ to the UK because he wants to spend time with his kids and his grandchildren as they grow up.
The pair have been married since 1979 and share three daughters: Lois, 43, Jaime, 40 and 24-year-old Ellie Rae. All three have followed in their father’s footsteps into acting.
Ray told the Daily Star: ‘I’m backwards and forwards from here to Sicily. My family is here in England; my kids are here.
‘But when we get a chance me and Elaine have a little scoot. I’m 68 now, I want to rest in the sun… I’m getting old ain’t I.’
The Scum actor keeps one foot in the UK to stay close with his children and grandkids (Picture: Getty)He and his wife are understood to have bought a farmhouse on the island over a decade ago, but Italy seems to be firming up as the thespian’s destination of choice for future retirement.
Daughter Jamie also chose the country for her destination wedding in 2023.
Ray, however, hasn’t given up acting work entirely and has several projects coming up because he needs to ‘pay the rent’ – and the taxman.
He shared that ‘good scripts come along very rarely, with good dialogue and good stories’.
‘Sometimes you have to do a job to pay the rent. But I’ve read three really good ones lately and if they come off, I’ll be very happy.’
With daughters Lois and Ellie Ray, alongside wife Elaine, whom he married in 1979 (Picture: James Gourley/Rex/Shutterstock)
