Ray Winstone has revealed that he has semi-retired and now spends most of his time in Sicily. 

The actor, 68, admitted that he just wants ‘to rest in the sun’ and just takes on projects when he needs a pay check. 

In an interview with The Daily Star, he explained: ‘I’m backwards and forwards from here to Sicily. I’m 68 now, I want to rest in the sun… I’m getting old ain’t I.’

Revealing that he has semi-retired, Ray added: ‘I’ve got one or two other projects that I’ve read, but they’re in the queue to be made.

‘But then there’s other times when you read something you’re not quite sure about but you need to pay the rent, so you will go and do that, you have to do that.’ 

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Ray Winstone has revealed that he has semi-retired and now spends most of his time in Sicily (pictured last month)

The actor, 68, admitted that he just wants ‘to rest in the sun’ and just takes on projects when he needs a pay check (pictured in Sicily)

When his work was affected by the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, Ray made a remarkably different career change. 

He began working as a labourer in Sicily after he’s acting work dried up due to the strike.

Ray told The Mirror: ‘I’ve been doing a bit of labouring out here, a bit of graft. I hurt my back a couple of years ago, so I’ve been building my back up a little bit.

‘There’s a writers’ strike on at the moment, so that’s affecting a hell of a lot of stuff in my game. I’ve just been having a bit of time off. I’m just enjoying being lazy. It’s fine.’

Meanwhile, Ray opened up about enjoying the quieter life in Italy on the Pound for Pound podcast: ‘Here, I sit out at night. I’m at the top of the mountain and all you can see is the stars.

‘At night you turn all the lights off and I’ve got a little telly outside and I watch the telly and have a drink outside. I’m here on my own at the moment.

‘Don’t tell no one, though, in case someone comes up and robs me. I’ve got a great big bat with me and all that. But it’s lovely. I sit outside and all you hear is wild animals.’

Ray has reprised his role as Bobby Glᴀss in the next series of Netflix drama The Gentlemen. 

In an interview with The Daily Star , he explained: ‘I’m backwards and forwards from here to Sicily. I’m 68 now, I want to rest in the sun… I’m getting old ain’t I’ (pictured in March 2024)

Revealing that he has semi-retired, Ray added: ‘I’ve got one or two other projects that I’ve read, but they’re in the queue to be made’ (pictured as Bobby Glᴀss in The Gentlemen)

Production is currently underway in the UK on hit show, which stars Theo James and Kaya Scodelario as the masterminds behind a drug empire.

Filming is already underway at the stunning Badminton House in Gloucestershire – a grand estate that doubles as the fictional Halstead Manor in the series.

The British gangster drama, which also stars Vinnie Jones, has also added new cast member, Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville.

Others joining The Gentlemen are Benjamin Clementine (Dune), Benedetta Porcaroli (The Leopard), Michele Morrone (Another Simple Favour), Sergio Castellito (Conclave), Amra Mallᴀssi (Dune: Part Two), and Tyler Conti.

Returning cast includes Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, Vinnie, Jasmine Blackborow, Michael Vu, Harry Goodwins, Ruby Sear, Pearce Quigley, and Giancarlo Esposito.

Speaking of directing the new series, Guy said: ‘This chapter sees a deliberate expansion, both geographically and thematically, as we journey from the English countryside to the Italian lakes.

‘Eddie (James) and Susie (Scodelario) find themselves navigating an increasingly volatile empire as they’re besieged on all fronts by an influx of enigmatic new players. The stakes are heightened, the power dynamics are more precarious.’