Bonds’ tributes to the spy we loved
BOND stars Sir Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig have paid affectionate tributes to Sir Roger Moore who died aged 89 at his home in Switzerland after a short battle with cancer.
The self-deprecating 007 once rated himself as “the fourth-best Bond… a little behind George Lazenby” who was panned by critics as the worst 007 ever.
Sir Roger, who played the secret agent in seven films including 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me, said of Craig in 2015: “He’s an excellent Bond. Much stronger than I am. He and Sean are undoubtedly the best Bonds.”
Craig uploaded a photo of himself with Sir Roger to the official 007 Instagram account and wrote: “Nobody Does It Better – love Daniel.”
Sir Sean also spoke fondly of the actor who succeeded him as Bond, saying: “Very sad to hear of Roger’s passing. We had an unusually long relationship by Hollywood standards that was filled with jokes and laughter. I will miss him.”
Brosnan described Sir Roger on Facebook as “a magnificent Bond” and “a big part of my life”.
Timothy Dalton, who took over from Sir Roger in 1987, tweeted condolences and Lazenby, who was the 1969 Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, said: “He was one of the good guys.”
Former Bond girl Britt Ekland, who starred alongside Sir Roger in 1974 film The Man With The Golden Gun, tweeted: “My Bond is gone. Am filled with great sadness. Roger was the epitome of Bond – witty, sophisticated, elegant, funny. RIP.”
Her warm words were echoed by Jane Seymour, who starred as love interest Solitaire in Sir Roger’s first Bond film, Live And Let Die, in 1973.
She wrote on Instagram: “I am devastated to learn of Roger’s passing.
“The first leading role I had as a Bond girl was such a new and frightening world. Roger held my hand and guided me through every process.
“He taught me about the work ethic and humility. He was so funny, kind and thoughtful to everyone around him.
“Roger taught me what a movie star really was and should be.”
Other stars paid tribute to Sir Roger, who worked in his latter years as a Goodwill Ambassador for children’s charity Unicef.
Sir Michael Caine said: “I am truly sad and think I will be in tears if I talk about him. Roger was the perfect gentleman, adored by all his friends.”
Fellow ambassador Mia Farrow wrote: “Few are as kind and giving as Roger.”