He's played some of the most suave, cultured action stars the world has ever seen.

Now Roger Moore, 86, is sharing his fond memories of seven decades of showbiz Lauren May:

What did you enjoy most about playing Bond?

Roger Moore: "Getting paid. [laughs] No, I enjoyed every one that I did from day one.

"I still enjoy them because Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, the Bond franchise’s producers, are still friends.

"I think in retrospect my favourite is the Spy Who loved Me.

LM: What memories do you have on set?

RM: "All actors feel close at the end of a shoot.

"I had quite a lot of different changes and stunt doubles and things.

"I was looking forward in particular to wearing one dark grey suit.

"I forget the particular film but the last shot of the film was in a tiny dressing room on the set with a girl who had a bullet in her navel or something.

"I had to pretend to kiss her belly all over and at the end swallow the bullet.

"I had this lovely suit on and I couldn’t understand why our producer was peering over the top of the set.

"They said cut and he said that’s it.

"I stepped out of the door and I was hit by a great big bag of white wash.

"They were laughing their heads off."

LM: You do a lot of work for UNICEF as a goodwill ambassador. How did you get into it?

RM: "I was introduced to the world of UNICEF about 21 years ago by Audrey Hepburn.

"She had asked me to co host a children’s awards and would I join her in Amsterdam.

"I said of course, will they have everything on Teleprompters.

"She said yes and asked me to come the day before for a press conference.

"It was fascinating the way she could redirect the conversation to children’s rights.

"She spoke with such wonderful conviction and knowledge and with complete persuasion as if she was a disciple.

"I hung on every world and I had to find out more.

"After a year I did the same show again from the Hague.

"In the mean time she had introduced me to the then director of UNICEF international.

"Speaking with him he said if you want to learn you have to go in the field.

"I didn’t realised I was being recruited but I never regretted it.

"My first assignment was Guadalupe, Honduras, Costa Rica and Salvador.

"I learned so much about the work of UNICEF in the field.

"I’m very proud to be a part of it."

LM: What’s the best piece of advice you have been given throughout your career?

RM: "Lee Marvin once looked at me in a semi drunken state.

"He was obviously slightly hungover.

"He said I’ll give you some advice - just hit your lines and say the marks, everything back to front.

"But I think you learn more from bad actors and what not to do.

"They probably learnt a lot from me."

LM: You have worked with so many actors over the years. Who do you still keep in touch with?

RM: "Sadly a number of them are dead.

"It’s rather depressing when you start thinking about all your friends.

"David Niven was one of the first friends I had who died.

"I could never watch a film he with him in it.

"It’s only recently I have been able to do it.

"It’s the same with Gregory Peck.

"There are so many - all wonderful people."

LM: Which of your many awards and accolades are you most proud of?

RM: "It has to be the knighthood from her majesty the Queen for my work with UNICEF.

"You have a few words with her and are told she will take your hand and then drop it and that’s when you step backward and turn right and that you are not to look at anyone in the room.

"But I couldn’t resist winking at Kristina and one of my sons."

An Afternoon with Sir Roger Moore; New Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1QG; 3pm; Sunday, November 17; £28.90; atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

 

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