'A gorgeous, model of a man – I was there as he slipped away without a fuss': Sean Connery's widow Micheline reveals the final moments of the Bond star whose wit and charm defined an era as he dies aged 90

• Former milkman Sir Sean Connery became a Hollywood star as the first ever James Bond in 1962 film Dr No 
• Most of his subsequent successes were in films such as Murder on the Orient Express and A Bridge Too Far Sir 
• Sean also starred as the father of the leading role in the film Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade in 1989 
• In 2006, he received American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award and confirmed his retirement The wife of screen legend Sir Sean Connery, who has died at the age of 90, last night paid an emotional tribute to her 'gorgeous model of a man'.

  Revealing how his final months were blighted by dementia, Micheline, who was married to the Oscar-winning star for 45 years, said: 'It was no life for him. He was not able to express himself latterly. At least he died in his sleep and it was just so peaceful. I was with him all the time and he just slipped away. It was what he wanted.

  'He had dementia and it took its toll on him. He got his final wish to slip away without any fuss.'

  The 91-year-old Moroccan-French painter, who met the Scot in 1970 at a golf tournament and became his second wife, added: 'He was gorgeous and we had a wonderful life together. He was a model of a man. It is going to be very hard without him, I know that. But it could not last for ever and he went peacefully.'

  Sir Sean's death brings one of most extraordinary lives in recent British history to an end.

  Born Thomas Sean Connery into a working-class family in Edinburgh's Fountainbridge district, he left school at 14 and got a job as a milkman. 

  A variety of other jobs followed, including as a labourer and lorry driver, and then a stint in the Royal Navy before a medical discharge.

  He became interested in bodybuilding and it was a visit to London in 1953 to enter the Mr Universe contest that kickstarted his acting career. 

  The future James Bond star took the opportunity to audition for a West End production of South Pacific and landed a part in the chorus. Further stage roles followed and he also broke into television and film, eventually winning a prominent role in the 1959 Disney film Darby O'Gill And The Little People.

  But it was being cast as 007 that catapulted him to international stardom and acclaim.

  

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  Sir Sean Connery and wife Micheline at 34th Annual AFI Lifetime Achievement Award: A Tribute to Sean Connery

  

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  The much-loved Bond actor, who died aged 90 this weekend, pictured with his granddaughter Saskia in 2018

  

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  His first wife, Australian actress Diane Cilento, claimed in her autobiography that he resented her success and 'wasn't able to cope' with his own fame

  

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  A five-year-old Sean with his pet dog in 1935. He was born in Edinburgh to a cleaning woman and factory worker

  

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  Sean Connery holds Swiss actor Ursula Andress while she does a handstand on a beach in a white bikini on the set of the film, 'Dr. No

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  Scottish actor Sean Connery as James Bond taking a bath during the filming of 'Diamonds Are Forever', 1971

  

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  007 gets a somewhat dubious fashion makeover as he wore denim in 1983's Bond film, Never Say Never Again

  

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  Sean Connery as Bond in 1964 with his Aston Martin DB5, now inextricably linked with the 007 films

  

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  A lithe Sean Connery in 1965's Thunderball, which was filmed in Nassau in the Bahamas where he died earlier this weekend

  

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  Connery finds Jill Masterson (Shirley Eaton) dead in 1964's Goldfinger – one of cinema's most iconic scenesBut in later years he instructed his agents to turn down all acting work and retreated into life in New Providence in the Bahamas with Micheline. According to Hollywood sources, producers always offered him 'wheelbarrows full of cash' to make a cameo in whatever movie they were making, but 'he just wasn't interested'.

  Much of time in his twilight years was spent playing golf on the course at the five-star private club behind his home.

  Sir Sean will be cremated in the Bahamas and a memorial service held at a later date, the venue for which has to be decided. It is not known whether his ashes will be brought back to Scotland.

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  His wife said: 'We have not decided what to do. That is something we will talk about soon but he will be cremated in the Bahamas, which is what he wanted.'

  Yesterday, at his home near Lilliesleaf in the Scottish Borders, the actor's son Jason, 57, struggled to hold back tears.

  He said: 'It's a very difficult time but already there has been a beautiful outpouring of tributes for him and that is appreciated. It's 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.' 

  

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  Sean Connery as 007 and actress Shriley Eaton on the set of the 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger

  

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  Connery's 007 character kisses Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore in Goldfinger in 1964

  

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  Sean Connery and Jill St John, the stars of James Bond film 'Diamonds Are Forever', share a joke over an ice cream, 1st June 1971

  

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  Connery poses in one of his more outlandish outfits in the 1974 sci-fi movie Zardoz

  From her home in Edinburgh, Sir Sean's sister-in-law, Elinor Connery, 82, who is married to the actor's younger brother, Neil, said: 'Unfortunately, Neil is very unwell at the moment. He is obviously very upset at the news of the death of his only brother. It is a very sad time for the whole family.

  'We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.'

  Among those paying tribute yesterday was the current Bond star Daniel Craig, who tweeted: 'Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more. He defined an era and a style.

  'The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in megawatts; he helped create the modern blockbuster.

  'He will continue to influence actors and filmmakers alike for years to come. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Wherever he is, I hope there is a golf course.'

  The family of Sir Roger Moore, another 007 who died in 2017 aged 89, said: 'How infinitely sad to hear the news Sir Sean Connery has passed away. He and Roger were friends for many decades and Roger always maintained Sean was the best ever James Bond.'

  Perhaps the most fitting farewell, though, came from Richard Moore, the real-life head of MI6.

  He tweeted: 'My favourite Bond. No question. So sorry he's gone. #SeanConneryRIP.'

The day I bonded as caddy No6

By Alison Kervin 

It started at an elegant dinner in Monte Carlo, as all good stories should.

I was enjoying hospitality there as I covered the Laureus World Sports Awards, interviewing a host of sports stars who had gathered in the principality for the annual event.

Then news filtered through the room: Sir Sean Connery had arrived in Monaco.

‘Connery? Here? At this dinner?’

It turned out that he wasn’t at the dinner because he was getting up early to play golf the next day.

A plan formed in my head: I would get up early and go to the golf course, and try to get an interview with him.

So it was, in the early hours of the following morning, with mist in the air and dew on the grass, I headed for the finest golf course in Monaco. I could see the Hollywood star at the first tee, wrapped up against the cold but instantly recognisable.

He had three bodyguards with him and a sinister-looking black armoured car next to him.

“Excuse me. I just wondered whether I could have a few moments of your time?” I shouted over.

“I have no time, I have to tee off,” he said.

“I could caddy for you?”

“I have about five caddies,” he retorted in that familiar Scottish drawl.

“Do you need six?”

His security moved towards me, and I thought my chance was over. But Connery put a hand out to stop them. He smiled at me, and said ‘yes’. And off we went around the golf course, followed closely by the increasingly worried-looking security guards and the rather terrifying black car.

Connery was absolutely charming: incredibly good company, eager to find out about all the sports stars I’d interviewed at the event, and full of interesting anecdotes.

“Golf’s become a huge part of my life,” he said. “You know what I do, when I’m offered a part in a film, I play a round of golf in the character that I’ve been asked to play. If I can play 18 holes in the character, I take the part. I've turned down some huge roles because I couldn't play golf as them.” Unfortunately, he wouldn't tell me which ones.

He fizzled with excitement as shots went his way. “If I get this bugger in the hole I’m going to dance for joy,” he said. The ball went in and he duly did his dance, swinging his arms in the air and jogging round in a circle to celebrate the moment.

We reached the final hole and I thanked him for his time. I thought that was it. I imagined the next time I would see him he’d be striding across my television screen. I knew that I’d regale everyone within earshot with the tale of the time I walked the golf course with Connery.

But, no. Fate was to bless me with another encounter with the acting legend. Later that evening I went out to dinner with two close friends who live in the south of France. They took me to a small, family-owned restaurant favoured by locals.

And, as it turned out, by Connery. I saw his table tucked at the back and decided not to disturb him.

But after a few drinks, I changed my mind. Wouldn’t it be fun to send over a bottle of the wine he was drinking, along with a note thanking him for his time? He received it and sent a note back with two bottles of wine.

The note said: "No need to send four bottles back, or we’ll be at this all night. Remember – I could buy this restaurant."

When we went to leave, he’d settled our bill, including the wine I'd sent over to him.