SEAN Connery died in his sleep from pneumonia and heart failure, it was reported today.
The James Bond legend died aged 90 in the Bahamas after he had been unwell for “some time”.
US outlet TMZ today reported the actor’s death certificate showed he died from respiratory failure as a result of pneumonia, old age and atrial fibrillation – irregular heartbeats.
The document stated the Oscar-winning star died on October 31 at 1.30am at his Bahamas home.
In the wake of his death, thousands paid tribute to the Scottish-born actor, whose stellar career earned him accolades such as The Greatest Living Scot and Scotland’s Greatest Living National Treasure.
And at the time, wife Michele Roquebrune paid tribute to her “gorgeous model of a man”.
Sir Sean, who played Bond between 1962-71, won a string of acting awards including an Oscar, two Bafta awards and three Golden Globes.
He was also knighted by the Queen in Holyrood Palace in 2000.
Connery landed his first role as 007 in 1962’s ‘Dr. No’, which propelled him to international stardom.
His subsequent Bond films – including ‘From Russia With Love’ and ‘Goldfinger’ – are still regarded as some of the finest in the series.
A Radio Times poll of over 14,000 fans found that 56 per cent of people believed Connery was the best Bond actor of all time.
Sir Sean’s other films included The Hunt for Red October and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
What is atrial fibrillation?
ATRIAL fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm condition in the UK, affecting around 1.6 million people.
People with the condition have irregular heartbeats that are often very fast.
A normal heart rate should be regular and between 60 and 100 beats a minute when you’re resting.
But when you have atrial fibrillation, it becomes irregular and can reach considerably higher than 100 beats per minute.
Atrial fibrillation can sometimes not cause any noticeable symptoms, and someone with an irregular or quickened heart rate may not realise.
But more obvious symptoms can include dizziness, shortness of breath and tiredness.
Sufferers may also notice heart palpitations for a few seconds or minutes, where your heart feels like it’s fluttering, bounding or beating irregularly.
His final film was The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen in 2003.
And his wife Micheline previously revealed how Sir Sean’s last months were blighted by dementia.
She 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.”
Sir Sean’s son Jason Connery told the BBC: “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.”
Among other tributes paid to Sir Sean was fellow Bond actor Daniel Craig, who wrote: “It is with such sadness that I heard of the passing of one of the true greats of cinema.
“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 mega watts; he helped create the modern blockbuster.”
The British Film Institute said: “We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of iconic actor Sir Sean Connery, aged 90.”
James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: “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.'”
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Although he is the best Bond in the eyes of many, Connery had a love-hate relationship with the role.
“I have always hated that damned James Bond,” he once famously said. “I’d like to kill him.”
Bond creator Ian Fleming and Connery famously did not get along.
