With the passing of Sir Roger Moore last month at the age of 89, the world lost not only a cherished James Bond star and ambassador, but first and foremost a British icon, a genuinely warm, good-humoured and charitable man, and a bonafide national treasure.

Such was his tremendous legacy in the arts that his death has left a monumental void in the hearts of both 007 fanatics and general cinema fans alike. When it comes to his most famous role as Ian Fleming’s impervious spy, though, his absence is most strongly felt of all; Sir Roger is the first Bond actor to leave us, and the one who in many ways was the most beloved.

Sir Roger, armed with quick barbs and eyebrow raises aplenty, calmly and confidently steered James Bond through the 70s and well into the 80s, an era of 007 history well renowned for cementing the Bond films as colourful slices of self aware, bombastic entertainment above all else. His Bond, simply put, was a superhero consistently trusted not only to save the day, but to have a blast doing it.

Although one of the premiere faces and voices of the James Bond franchise is gone, his works will of course live on, eternally treasured and cherished by grateful audiences the world over. When it came to pure entertainment, nobody did it better.