Sir Sean Connery 'was suffering with dementia when he died'

Sir Sean Connery was suffering with dementia when he died, his widow has revealed.

The 90-year-old Scot, best known for playing James Bond, died in his sleep at the weekend in the Bahamas.

His son Jason said he “had many of his family who could be in the Bahamas around him” when he died and “had been unwell for some time”.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, his widow Micheline Roquebrune said: “It was no life for him.”

Ms Roqubrune, who married the star in 1975, said: “He had dementia and it took its toll on him. He got his final wish to slip away without any fuss.”

She added: “It was no life for him. He was not able to express himself latterly. At least he died in his sleep and it was just so peaceful. I was with him all the time and he just slipped away. It was what he wanted.”

Reflecting on their life together, she said: “He was gorgeous and we had a wonderful life together. He was a model of a man.

“It is going to be very hard without him, I know that. But it could not last forever and he went peacefully.”

The Hollywood star, from Fountainbridge in Edinburgh, was best known for his portrayal of James Bond. He was the first actor to bring the role to the big screen, debuting as 007 in 1962’s Dr. No.

He appeared in seven Bond films, including Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever and Never Say Never Again.

Sir Sean’s agent, Nancy Seltzer, told STV News: “His wife Micheline and his two sons, Jason and Stephane, have confirmed that he died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family.

“There will be a private ceremony followed by a memorial yet to be planned once the virus has ended.”