James Bond Actor Sir Sean Connery dies in his sleep aged 90

Sir Sean's son Jason told the BBC “his father died peacefully in his sleep overnight while in the Bahamas, having been "unwell for some time".

He said his father "had many of his family who could be in the Bahamas around him" when he died.

James Bond with his wife

"We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time.”

"A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor." Jason added.

James Bond actor was raised in near poverty in the slums of Edinburgh and worked as a coffin polisher, milkman and lifeguard before his bodybuilding hobby helped launch an acting career that made him one of the world's biggest stars.

When he was 59, People Magazine declared him the “Sexiest man alive” in 1989.

Different celebrities wrote on twitter how sad they are for losing him.

Director Kevin Smith, the American director of Clerks and Chasing Amy, recalls growing up with Sir Sean Connery's films and said “it feels like I’m losing my dad”.

He added: "He was my Dad’s James Bond, so Dad supported Mr Connery’s career his entire life, always taking me to see any movie his fave actor was in," "I have sweet memories of watching Dad watch his movie idol. So Sean Connery’s passing also feels like I’m losing Dad again."

Multiple award-winning Scottish actor best known for 007 role in seven spy films

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said, “Scotland will miss him”.

Via twitter, she said she was "heartbroken" by the news of Sean Connery's death. "Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons,"

"Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and through talent & sheer hard work, became an international film icon and one of the world's most accomplished actors.

"Sean will be remembered best as James Bond - the classic 007 - but his roles were many & varied. He was a global legend but, first and foremost, a patriotic and proud Scot - his towering presence at the opening of [the Scottish parliament] in 1999 showed his love for the country of his birth.

"Sean was a lifelong advocate of an independent Scotland and those of us who share that belief owe him a great debt of gratitude.

"It was a privilege to have known Sean. When I last spoke to him it was clear even then that his health was failing - but the voice, the spirit and the passion that we all loved so well were still there. I will miss him. Scotland will miss him. The world will miss him."

Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, Bond Film Producers, said in a joint statement “We are devastated by the news of the passing of Sir Sean Connery," "He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words 'The name’s Bond... James Bond' — he revolutionized the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent. He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him.”