James Bond star Sir Roger Moore has died aged 89

Veteran James Bond actor Sir Roger Moore has passed away aged 89.

His family revealed the news on Twitter writing, '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 issued this statement from Sir Roger Moore's official account: "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 love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified in 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."

The actor took on the role of British spy James Bond in seven films,Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979),For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983) and A View to a Kill (1985).

Moore was the third actor to take on the part of 007 and he spent 12 years in the role, making him the longest serving Bond.

The actor died after a brave battle with cancer.