Sir Sean Connery - who was the original James Bond - has passed away

Legendary Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery, who first brought James Bond to the screen, has died at the age of 90.

His family announced that he had died overnight in his sleep in the Bahamas, after being unwell for some time.

The Academy Award and BAFTA-winning actor was best known for his portrayal of 007, bringing author Ian Fleming's dashing secret agent to life seven times, starting with 1962's Dr No.

He also starred in Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Never Say Never Again, You Only Live Twice and Thunderball.

In August, he topped a poll conducted by RadioTimes.com to be named the best ever James Bond.

After Bond, Connery's career, which spanned several decades, included numerous hits such as Highlander, The Hunt for Red October, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Rock.

His performances earned him multiple accolades, including two BAFTAs, three Golden Globes and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as an Irish cop in 1987 crime drama The Untouchables.

In 2000, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Holyrood Palace for his services to film.

He retired from acting in 2006, and in recent years had largely become a recluse, rarely leaving a gated community in the Bahamas where he lived with his second wife Micheline Roquebrune.

He celebrated his 90th birthday in August when he was spotted in public for the first time in three years looking cheerful as he enjoyed a round of golf.

Prior to August, the last time he had been seen in public was in New York in 2017, when he was seen needing a walking stick.