Dubbed as ‘The Big Cheese’ due to his criminal expertise, Keith Cheeseman appears unapologetic as he recounts his encounters with notable figures like The Krays and football icon George Best. The mastermind behind Britain’s largest bank heist in 1990, stealing bearer bonds valued at £850 million today, Cheeseman reminisces about rubbing shoulders with Morecambe and Wise before being convicted.
Currently residing in retirement along the Turkish Riviera at the age of 83, Cheeseman, who served time for the heist, is featured in a documentary titled Heist: Robbing the Bank of England, alongside Marcel Theroux. Described as ‘The biggest bank heist no one has heard of,’ the 1990 robbery shocked Theroux, who expressed surprise at not previously knowing about it.
Reflecting on his past, Cheeseman recalls his lavish lifestyle in the early 1970s, driving a Lamborghini, socializing with celebrities, and smoking fine cigars. Despite his criminal activities, he humorously acknowledges his popularity, especially in Turkey, where he is viewed with intrigue due to his multiple marriages and criminal background.
Cheeseman’s journey took a turn when he failed a football trial and instead bought the club, attracting attention for his extravagant lifestyle. However, his downfall came with the bank heist and subsequent imprisonment, during which he shared stories of encounters with infamous gangsters like the Krays and Richardson brothers.
Despite his criminal past, Cheeseman sheds light on his perspective of the banking system’s injustices that led him down the path of crime. Recalling his time in prison, he shares anecdotes of the unique relationships formed with fellow inmates and his relatively comfortable lifestyle behind bars.
Reflecting on his life choices, Cheeseman admits to the thrill and perks of his criminal endeavors but distances himself from the label of a gangster, preferring to see himself as a skilled criminal benefiting from his exploits in the banking world. The documentary, Heist: Robbing the Bank of England, is set to premiere on Crime+Investigation on November 3rd.