It could be called the curse of Patsy Kensit. Her three husbands all saw their fortunes falter after taking up with the blonde actress. Now former lover Ally McCoist may also pay the price.

Patsy's late father was a villain. Jimmy Kensit was deeply involved with the most notorious gangsters of 1960s London: the Krays and the Richardsons. Reggie Kray was even godfather to Patsy's brother.

A pattern seemed to be emerging in Patsy's family. Just as criminal activity seemed to colour the first two generations of the Kensit line, a family trade of walking stick making and finishing ...