Sir Roger Moore dead at 89 after battle with cancer

Sir Roger Moore, the British actor best known for his role as James Bond, has died aged 89.

Moore’s family took to Twitter to announce the news around midday on Tuesday 23 May.

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

“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 tweet’s attached obituary, written by his children, adds.

“The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in words alone.”

“Thank you Pops for being you, and for being so very special to so many people,” they add.

A number of celebrities have paid their respects online too.

British comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar led the sentiment.

“My Bond. My teacher. My friend. Grateful. Heartbroken.” he wrote in a tweet.

@sirrogermoore My Bond. My teacher. My friend. Grateful. Heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/9Qct4nXaj8

— Sanjeev Bhaskar (@TVSanjeev) May 23, 2017

A number of other notable British figures also tweeted their condolences.

@sirrogermoore You never forget your first Bond or Saint. #RIP Mr. Moore

— Adam Glass (@AdamGlass44) May 23, 2017

@sirrogermoore Oh No. So so sorry.

— Simon McCoy (@BBCSimonMcCoy) May 23, 2017

“Roger Moore” and #RIPRogerMoore began trending worldwide and in South Africa around 4pm Tuesday in the wake of the news.

Moore’s career spanned the best part of 60 years, with highlights that included a Golden Globe win in 1980, and the UNICEF Snowflake Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award 28 years late for his work in the battle against child trafficking.

But Moore is perhaps best known for his role as James Bond, starring in seven movies across 12 years, and Simon Templar in the UK spy thriller series The Saint in the 1960s.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page regularly for updates.

Feature image: Sir Roger Moore (@sirrogermoore) via Twitter