Legendary James Bond actor has passed away in Switzerland following a "short but brave battle with cancer", his family announced this afternoon.

Moore's family released a statement about his death via Moore's social media today that read:

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

"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.

"The affection our father felt whenever he walked onto a stage or in front of a camera buoyed him hugely and kept him busy working into his 90th year, through to his last appearance in November 2016 on stage at London's Royal Festival Hall.

"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. Our thoughts must now turn to supporting Kristina at this difficult time, and in accordance with our father's wishes there will be a private funeral in Monaco."

Moore was best known for his role as James Bond, appearing in seven films and becoming the longest-serving Bond actor after 12 years in the role, beginning with 'Live and Let Die' in 1973 and retiring from the role after 'A View to a Kill' in 1985.

A veteran of stage and screen with appearances in over 96 productions as an actor, Moore was also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for which he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in June 2003.