Jimmy Spinks was a famed East End of London

East End of London

The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...

 criminal and bareknuckle fighter.

In his earlier years, he was said to have been extremely handsome and was approached by a man who was also an acting agent of James Cagney

James Cagney

James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...

, who asked Spinks if he would have liked to act. Spinks replied in the negative, with the statement that he was born in the East End of London, and would die there. In his later years Spinks lost his famed good looks and had a face like "a map of the London Underground

London Underground

The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...

" due to his years of violence in the world of crime and bareknuckle boxing.

Spinks's funeral was a large event in the East End, with large numbers of the working class turning up to show their respects. The funeral of Ronnie Kray some forty years later was said to have echoed it.

Spinks is notable for being the great-uncle of Lenny McLean

Lenny McLean

Leonard John "Lenny" McLean , also known as "The Guv'nor," was an East End of London bareknuckle fighter, bouncer, criminal and prisoner, author, businessman, bodyguard, enforcer, weightlifter, television presenter and actor, and has been referred to as "the hardest man in Britain".McLean's...

.