Thank you Pops for being so very special
As Roger Moore dies aged 89, his children’s loving tribute
SIR Roger Moore, the world’s longestserving James Bond, has died after a short battle with cancer aged 89.
The British actor, who starred in seven Bond films spanning 12 years, including Live And Let Die and A View To A Kill, passed away yesterday in Switzerland, where he owned a chalet .
In a statement posted on Twitter, Sir Roger’s children paid tribute to their ‘loving father’ and confirmed that a private funeral would be held in Monaco.
They said: ‘It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today in Switzerland after a short but brave battle with cancer.
‘The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone. We know our own love and admiration will be magnified many times over, across the world, by people who knew him for his films, his television shows and his passionate work for Unicef, which he considered to be his greatest achievement.
‘The affection our father felt whenever he walked on to a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year, through to his last appearance in November 2016 on stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
‘The capacity crowd cheered him on and off stage, shaking the very foundations of the building just a short distance from where he was born.
‘Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people.
‘ Our thoughts must now turn to supporting Kristina [his fourth wife] at this difficult time, and in accordance with our father’s wishes there will be a private funeral in Monaco.’
The statement was signed by Sir Roger’s three children: Deborah, Geoffrey, and Christian.
Sir Roger, who split his time between his homes in Switzerland, Monaco and the South of France, is also survived by Kristina Tholstrup, whom he wed in 2002.
The actor had previously beaten prostate cancer after being diagnosed in 1993, and also had type 2 diabetes.
He was said to be devastated when his stepdaughter Christina Knudsen, known as Flossie, died aged 47 last year.
The son of a London policeman from the back streets of Lambeth, in South London, Sir Roger became best known for playing the third incarnation of James Bond.
But he rose to fame with roles in hit shows The Saint and The Persuaders! and later became a
goodwill ambassador for Unicef. Yesterday, Unicef’s executive director Anthony Lake said: ‘In his most famous roles as an actor, Sir Roger was the epitome of cool sophistication, but in his work as a Unicef goodwill ambassador he was a passionate — and highly persuasive — advocate for children.’ He added that ‘ the entire Unicef family has lost a great friend’.
Fellow Unicef ambassador actor Ewan McGregor added: ‘Thank you, Roger, for having championed so tirelessly the rights of all children for the last 26 years.’
Sir Michael Caine tweeted: ‘I am devastated today at losing one of my oldest and closest friends Roger Moore, my world will never be the same again.’
Former Bond girl Jane Seymour paid tribute, describing him as ‘my Bond’. Along with a picture of the two of them together, the actress wrote on Instagram: ‘I am devastated to learn of Roger Moore’s passing.
‘The first leading role I ever had as a Bond girl was such a new and frightening world and Roger held my hand and guided me through every process.’
She said he taught her ‘ about work ethic and humility’, adding that he was ‘ funny, kind and thoughtful to everyone around him’.
And Pierce Brosnan, who later portrayed Bond in four films, described Sir Roger as ‘ magnifi-
Surrounded by love in his final days ‘I’m devastated. He was my Bond’
cent’. In a post on Instagram, he wrote: ‘Dear Sir Roger Moore, It is indeed with a heavy heart that I hear the news of your passing this morning. You were a big part of my life, from The Saint to James Bond . . . you were a magnificent James Bond and one that led the way for me.
‘The world will miss you and your unique sense of humour for years to come. My sincerest condolences to your family and children. RIP.’
Singer and broadcaster Michael Ball said: ‘My dearest uncle Roger has passed on. What a sad, sad day this is. Loved the bones of him. Generous, funny, beautiful and kind.’
And Mia Farrow wrote: ‘Few are as kind and giving as was Roger Moore. Loving thoughts with his family and friends.’