David West, 70, died from a single stab wound to the chest on Friday, after a drunken row with his 44-year-old son.
The flamboyant nightclub owner lived next door to British actor Stephen Fry, who has now described the horrifying screams he heard the night West was killed.
Fry, 57, told The Sun: ‘I was at home on Friday night when I heard these horrifying screams and wondered what was going on.’
‘I looked out the window and saw Dave’s body taken out of his home and placed on the road. The emergency services were desperately trying to revive him but were unfortunately unable to do so.’
West Jr was arrested shortly after and will appear in court today, charged with his father’s murder.
‘I was at home on Friday night when I heard these horrifying screams and wondered what was going on.’
The flamboyant playboy built a £100 million empire over the course of his career, after starting out as an East End market trader.
West ran a talent firm, a restaurant and a Mayfair lap dancing club, as well as a women’s guesthouse and a gentlemen’s club.
Friends of the businessman said they can’t believe what has transpired between West and his son.
‘Dave lived with his dad all his life, apart from when he was married. It’s his other son, James, I feel for now. He is in bits’ said associate Harry Barnett.