Sir Roger Moore: James Bond star dies aged 89 after cancer battle

  • Video report by ITV News Correspondent Nina Nannar

James Bond star Sir Roger Moore has died at the age of 89, his children have announced.

Sir Roger starred seven times as 007, from 1973's Live And Let Die to 1985's A View To A Kill, in the peak of a hugely successful television and film career.

The actor, who also enjoyed memorable TV roles in The Saint and The Persuaders, passed away in Switzerland after a short battle with cancer.

His children, Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian, said they were "devastated" to confirm his death "with the heaviest of hearts" in a statement on Twitter.

"The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone," they said.

Sir Roger appeared the most times as the famed secret service agent. Credit: PA

"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."

Robbin Young, who starred opposite Sir Roger in 1981's For Your Eyes Only, was among the first to pay a personal tribute.

In their tribute, Sir Roger's children said the London-born actor continued to love the limelight up until the end of his life.

"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," they said.

"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."

Sir Roger, seen with his wife Kristina Tholstrup, made his last stage appearance in his home city of London in 2016. Credit: PA

Their tribute ended: "Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people.

"Our thoughts must now turn to supporting Kristina at this difficult time, and in accordance with our father's wishes there will be a private funeral in Monaco."