James Bond actor Sir Roger Moore has died after a "brave battle with cancer", his family have said.

Sir Roger, 89, died in Switzerland on Tuesday, a statement signed by his three children said.

"It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today after a short but brave battle with cancer," said the statement, which was published on his Twitter page.

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

:: Tributes to 'King of Cool' Sir Roger Moore


Nobody did it better - Roger Moore's film and TV career

Sir Roger was famous for his roles in The Saint and the James Bond movies. The latter made him one of the most successful actors of his generation.

He played the womanising MI6 agent more than any other actor, having portrayed 007 in seven films.

He was also the oldest actor to ever take on the famous spy role, making his Bond debut at the age of 45.

His first Bond was Live And Let Die (1973), which the producers made him lose weight, get fit and cut his hair for.

Image: Sir Roger was the oldest actor to play Bond, taking on the role aged 45

Sir Roger's 007 was known for his elegance and cold ruthlessness.

He went on to make The Man With the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981) and Octopussy (1983) - before signing off after A View to a Kill in 1985 when he was 57.

But Sir Roger first achieved worldwide fame as smooth-talking adventurer Simon Templar in the TV series The Saint.

He also starred alongside Tony Curtis in the 1970s crime series The Persuaders.

Image: Sir Roger Moore was the longest-running Bond in 007 history Image: He was a model before he earned fame as an actor and is seen here posing for the camera in 1955 Image: This early picture of him, also from around 1955, shows him on a morning ride in Hollywood Image: He starred with Claudie Lange in the 1969 film Crossplot Image: Before Bond, the actor was best known for his role as the debonair Simon Templar in the TV series The Saint Image: He played Lord Brett Sinclair in the 1970s TV series The Persuaders. With him is Catherine Schell, who played his wife Image: Sir Roger's first outing as 007 was in the 1973 film Live And Let Die Image: He was the oldest actor to ever take on the famous role, making his Bond debut at the age of 45 Image: In all, he played the womanising spy James Bond in seven films Image: At the premiere of Octopussy with co-star Maud Adams in 1983 Image: On the set of A View To A Kill in Paris in 1984 Image: Here he poses with fellow actor Michael Caine in 2000 Image: Sir Roger and his wife attend the wedding of Joan Collins in 2002 Image: Sir Roger and his wife Kristina in his role as a goodwill ambassador for the UN Image: Here he dons a special 007 Manchester United shirt before a UNICEF charity football match Image: The actor was knighted in 2003 Image: The star published his biography Forever James Bond in 2008 Image: Pictured with Prince Phillip at a celebration of the 60th anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award in 2016 /

London-born Sir Roger once joked he could not act "in the Olivier sense".

"When I was doing The Saint on television I had two expressions; as Bond I've managed to work up to four," he said.

He was also a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, a role he took on after a visit to India.

After receiving a knighthood in 2003 in recognition for his work with the organisation, Sir Roger said it had "meant far more to me than if I had got it for acting".

"I was proud because I received it on behalf of UNICEF as a whole and for all it has achieved over the years," he said.

With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated. pic.twitter.com/6dhiA6dnVg — Sir Roger Moore (@sirrogermoore) May 23, 2017

The statement from his children also said: "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.

Image: Sir Roger received a knighthood for his work for UNICEF

"The affection our father felt whenever he walked on to a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year," they added.

"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."

A private funeral will be held for Sir Roger according to his wishes, his family said.

He is survived by his fourth wife, Kristina Tholstrup, who he married in 2002, and his three children.