Diana made Bond cry.. and now I weep again
007 STAR GEORGE LAZENBY PAYS Veteran actor tells how couple shared a very special relationship
Sarah Robertson
They shared a unique bond as Mr and Mrs 007 – and yesterday actor George Lazenby told how he shared a very special chemistry with his late co-star Dame Diana Rigg.
Opening up after the veteran actress died of cancer aged 82 on Thursday, he said: “I think Diana and I created some magic. She was a Shakespearean actress, I wasn’t even an actor. But I think we made it work.”
The Australian, 81, opened up about their time filming 1969 Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, in which Diana played villain’s daughter Contessa Teresa, or Tracy for short.
The pair – who became the only Bond couple to wed – filmed on location in Estoril and on Guincho Beach in Portugal. They also spent months in Switzerland on the snow-capped mountain of Schilthorn.
George said: “I think all of us went a bit stir-crazy up there but it was fun skiing with her and shooting on the snow and ice.
“We filmed a stock car chase on the ice and I remember Diana really driving that thing like a race car professional. But that was Diana – a professional in every way.
“I went back last year to celebrate 50 years of the movie. They have a museum there dedicated to Diana and me. Diana was nearly going to come but couldn’t make it.”
Fans of Bond even made videos of their short- l ived on- screen relationship – with one in particular that sticks in his memory.
He said: “There is a montage sequence I’ve seen of me falling in love with Diana set to the tune of that great Louis Armstrong song We Have All The Time in the World.
“Most guys would have fallen in love with her.”
Last week, he paid an emotional tribute to his friend on Instagram, admitting the news of her death had moved him too tears.
He added: “Seeing all the tributes to Dianaana moved me. She certainlyainly did her bit for womenmen in film. She was great as Emma Peeleel in The Avengersrs – a great Bond woman oman audition.”
There were rumours thatt the pair didn’t get on – with Diana reportedlytedly eating garlic just too annoy him during romanticntic scenes. But George said:d: “Much was made of our supposed differences. We got along fine. You can’t shoot a whole movie for months and not get on.
“I’ve seen interviews with Diana where whe she commented on my behaviour beh and inexperience. Well, she was right. But she also said she was proud of the film and her role.”
George G also said the film helped pave the way for Daniel Craig’s Bond.
He H added: “I’m pleased to have been bee the only Bond to have married. mar I thought that was a great emotional emo core to the character – sosomething I think Daniel Craig might mig have been inspired by.
“AAnd when his movie, No Time To Die, comes out, I understand he has an ano ongoing meaningful relationship with his leading lady. But Diana and I set the example.”
Reca R l l ing the 1968 press