James Bond director Lewis Gilbert has died at the age of 97, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The British director and producer made his 007 debut with Sean Connery's You Only Live Twice in 1967, and twice directed Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker, in 1977 and 1979 respectively.

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Away from James Bond, Gilbert directed acclaimed historical drama Sink the Bismarck! and classic Michael Caine comedy Alfie, reuniting with the star for 1983's Educating Rita, which also starred Julie Walters in her first major movie role.

Tributes have been pouring in from Bond fans around the world, including Ant-Man director Peyton Reed.

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Gilbert began his career as a director working with the Royal Air Force's film unit during World War II on documentary movies, eventually working with the First Motion Picture Unit of the US Army Air Forces.

Among his accolades, he won two BAFTAs and Alfie was nominated for Best Film at the Oscars and Golden Globes. He was appointed a CBE in 1997 for his achievements in film, and was made a fellow of the British Film Institute in 2001.

Last May, Sir Roger Moore passed away at the age of 89 after "a short but brave battle with cancer", his three children Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian announced in a statement, with Sean Connery among those paying tribute.

From: Digital Spy
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Ian Sandwell

Movies Editor, Digital Spy  Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor.  Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world.   After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.