His mother Jane did not remarry but worked to support him and his younger sister, and paid his fares to attend secondary school in Chester.

[5] During World War II, he was based with the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and the experience of his first trip abroad inspired him to provide low-cost foreign holidays to people of a similar economic background.

He met the German courier in Benidorm when she was working for a rival company, and persuaded her to join his corporation.

During his absence, Aston Villa enjoyed its greatest period of success in modern times, winning the Football League title in 1981 and the European Cup in 1982.

[10] Ellis was nicknamed "Deadly Doug" by football pundit Jimmy Greaves, after sacking numerous managers during his tenures as chairman.

[15] In 2004, at the age of 80 and suffering from prostate cancer, Ellis agreed to relinquish some of his control of the club by appointing Bruce Langham as chief executive.

In 2005, underwent a heart bypass operation and, after a three-month absence, returned to his role at Villa Park soon after the start of the 2005–06 season.

[17][18] On 14 August 2006, it was announced that Ellis had agreed to sell the club to American billionaire, Randy Lerner in a deal worth £62.6 million.

[23] In January 2012 the Doug Ellis Learning Hub was opened at the University of Birmingham Medical School.