James Bond actor, Sir Roger Moore, dies aged 89

James Bond actor Sir Roger Moore has died aged 89, his family has confirmed. 

In a statement posted on the actor's official social media accounts it was revealed that Moore had passed away in Switzerland after a "short but brave battle with cancer".

The statement, from his children, read: "Thank you Pops for being you, and being so very special to so many people."

There will be a private funeral in Monaco, they added.

With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated. pic.twitter.com/6dhiA6dnVg

— Sir Roger Moore (@sirrogermoore) May 23, 2017

Moore was the third actor to play British secret agent James Bond, in seven feature films released between 1973 and 1985, including Live and Let Die and the Spy Who Loved Me.

Moore first had his break in TV with romantic adventure Ivanhoe, followed by roles in crime shows The Saint and The Persuaders. The success of The Saint gave Moore an opening in Hollywood, yet the resulting spy movies failed to ignite the box office.

Moore had been approached to play the character of James Bond but scheduling conflicts with his television roles meant that he was never available. When fellow actor Sean Connery had stepped down from the role for good, Moore was asked again and made his first Bond film in 1973, the well-received Live and Let Die.

He went onto star in another six films as 007 over a period of 12 years, making him the longest running actor in the role. He finally retired from the role in 1985, aged 58.

The actor devoted a lot of his time to humanitarian work, becoming a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 1991, based on his friendship with Audrey Hepburn, who had also worked with the same charity.

In 1999, Moore was awarded a CBE which then became a knighthood in 2003, given to him for his charity work.

Moore is survived by his wife, Kristina Tholstrup, and three children.