ONE OF the friendliest faces on local television — presenter and writer Fred Dinenage — had a packed Shanklin Theatre captivated by tales of Britain's most notorious gangsters, the Kray twins.

The well known face of ITV's Meridian Tonight (and its predecessors), shared his experiences of meeting Reggie and Ronnie.

Interviewed by Island-born radio presenter, Alex Dyke, Fred spoke, in his inimitably charismatic style, of interviewing the London underworld hoods and writing books about them.

Fred provided rare insight into their ruthlessness and the criminals they were associated with, including 'Mad' Frankie Fraser, Jack 'The Hat' McVitie and 'Mad Axeman' Frank Mitchell.

But he surprised many by revealing the Krays' 'human' side.

Reggie, who served at Parkhurst, helped a man's efforts to raise money for a hospital by selling paintings he and fellow inmates created, by auction.

Fred said when he met Ronnie at Broadmoor, he was stunned by how such a once-feared figure could write "such beautiful, touching" poetry — and read examples of it.

Even behind bars, the Krays had a business empire, which included Shanklin's Westhill Manor.

In a lighter moment, a blooper reel from Fred's TV career was shown.

The popular 81-year-old was generous with his time, spending the interval chatting to fans, signing autographs and doing 'selfies'.

Fred vowed to return — not only to the theatre, but to live on the Island.