JAMES Bond legend Sir Sean Connery has died aged 90, his family have said.
The actor “died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family,” they wrote in a statement.
They added: “There will be a private ceremony followed by a memorial yet to be planned once the virus has ended."
The Edinburgh-born actor’s career spanned decades and his awards included an Oscar, two Baftas and three Golden Globes.
READ MORE: Sean Connery at 90: His views on Scotland, in his own words
He was regarded as the best actor to have portrayed 007 in the long-running franchise.
Connery, a lifelong Scottish independence supporter, recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
Tributes have flooded in after the legendary actor's passing, with the First Minister posting: "I was heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Sir Sean Connery. Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons.
"Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and through talent & sheer hard work, became an international film icon and one of the world's most accomplished actors.
"Sean will be remembered best as James Bond - the classic 007 - but his roles were many & varied. He was a global legend but, first and foremost, a patriotic and proud Scot - his towering presence at the opening of @ScotParl in 1999 showed his love for the country of his birth."
Roles in Highlander, The Untouchables and Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade helped seal Connery's position as one of Britain’s best-loved stars, and his brooding good looks and distinct Scottish brogue won him legions of fans worldwide.
Connery never lost his much-imitated accent despite his many years living abroad.
Thomas Sean Connery was born in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge area on August 25, 1930. The elder of two boys, he left school at an early age and took his first job as a milkman, complete with horse-drawn cart.
At 16 he enlisted in the Royal Navy but was discharged three years later on medical grounds after suffering with a stomach ulcer.
He has two tattoos from this time – one reading “Mum and Dad” and another “Scotland Forever”.
The keen bodybuilder then undertook a variety of jobs, including a stint as a bricklayer, a lifeguard and an artist’s model for the Edinburgh College of Art. Under the name Thom Connery he was placed third in the tall man’s division (he was 6ft 2in) of the 1950 Mr Universe contest.
The stage came calling when a friend suggested he try out for a production of South Pacific. He got a part in the sailors’ chorus and so began his acting career.
He was also a gifted footballer. While touring with the musical, he was offered a contract by former Manchester United manager Sir Matt Busby, who saw him play in a friendly against a local side.
His first major acting credit came in 1957 British gangster film No Road Back.
It was author Ian Fleming’s suave and sophisticated secret service agent that launched Connery to stardom.
Fleming was initially resistant to the idea of Connery playing his character. He thought the Scot was an “overgrown stuntman” who was not refined enough for the role.
He was later so impressed with his performance that he created a Scottish ancestry for the character in his subsequent books.
Connery played Bond in seven films – Dr No (1962), From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983).
Connery, once voted the “greatest living Scot”, received the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, when he confirmed his retirement from acting.
READ MORE: Sean Connery is voted the best-ever James Bond actor
In 2009 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University for the achievements throughout his career.
He appeared relaxed and in good health during his last public appearance, when he turned out to support fellow Scotsman Andy Murray at the US Open in September 2012.
As one of the most high-profile supporters of Scottish independence, many expected Connery to make an appearance on the campaign trail in the run-up to the historic vote on September 18 2014.
His words were used to galvanise support at the launch of the Yes campaign two years previously, when the star declared in a message: “The people of Scotland are the best guardians of their own future.”
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