Sir Roger Moore dies at the age of 89 after 'short but brave battle with cancer'

The sad news was announced in a statement on his social media accounts

James Bond actor and British legend Sir Roger Moore has passed away at the age of 89.

A statement posted on the actor's official social media accounts revealed that Roger passed away in Switzerland after a 'short but brave battle with cancer'.

'It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today in Switzerland' the statement starts.

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

'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.

'The affection our father felt whenever he walked onto 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.

'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.

'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.'

Roger played James Bond in a total of seven films

The heartbreaking message is signed 'Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian' - Roger's three children.

The statement was shared to Twitter with the caption: 'With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated.'

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The announcement has already received an outpouring of sadness from fans all over the world, with many sharing their grief at his passing.

One fan wrote 'Goodnight Mr Bond. What an impact he made on my life', while another added: 'Sorry for your loss, my generation grew up with the Persuaders, The Saint and of course Bond. Your father is fondly remembered.'

Roger played James Bond in a total of seven of the films released between 1973 and 1985, including Live and Let Die and the Spy Who Loved Me. He was the third actor to play the famous secret agent.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.