It is with very great sadness that the JBIFC learnt today, along with his many friends and fans across the globe, that Sir Roger Moore has died at the age of 89, following what his family announced was a ‘short but brave battle with cancer’.

The statement from his family said: ‘With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated’. The family added: ‘Thank you Pops for being you, and being so very special to so many people’.

Sir Roger played James Bond in seven 007 films, and was the third actor in the official EON series (after Sir Sean Connery and George Lazenby) to play the iconic role. His Bond movies were some of the highest-grossing films of the 1970s and 1980s.

The JBIFC will add more information in due course. At the moment, we are still in shock. Our heart goes out to his wife, family and all his close friends. We salute you, Sir Roger.