James Bond star, 84, announces 'difficult decision' to retire from acting as 'getting older has taken its toll'

George Lazenby has announced his 'difficult decision' to discontinue from acting successful an update connected Thursday. 

The actor, 84, who played nan fictional characteristic successful nan 1969 movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service, admitted that 'getting older has taken its toll'. 

Sharing a photograph of himself to X, George wrote a heartfelt station saying that while it has been a 'fun ride' he is now looking guardant to spending much clip pinch his family. 

He shared: 'This hasn’t been an easy determination but it’s clip to denote my status from work.' 

'Therefore, I won’t beryllium doing immoderate much acting aliases making nationalist appearances, doing immoderate much interviews aliases signing immoderate much autographs arsenic of today. It’s been a nosy thrust but getting older is nary fun.

He continued: 'I would for illustration to convey my head and friend, Anders Frejdh, for helping maine since 2013 - nan champion typical I ever had. 

'I tin now ore connected spending much clip pinch my family. I sincerely convey everyone retired location for your emotion and support complete nan years. It has meant a batch to me. George xx.'

The Aussie has nan favoritism of being nan 2nd character to represent fictional British concealed supplier James Bond, though he had nan shortest tenure of them, arsenic he only starred successful a azygous Bond film.

Lazenby had only acted successful commercials erstwhile he was formed to switch nan original Bond star, Sean Connery.

He declined offers to reprise nan domiciled successful consequent Bond films, successful favour of having nan elasticity to return different roles passim nan 1970s specified arsenic Universal Soldier (1971), Who Saw Her Die? (1972), The Shrine Of Ultimate Bliss (1974), The Man From Hong Kong (1975), and The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977).

Although he only starred successful On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Lazenby's sole movie successful nan bid is now considered 1 of nan champion Bond films.

Retrospective reviews person praised Lazenby for portraying a much developed affectional life than different Bond actors, and acclaimed filmmakers including Christopher Nolan and Steven Soderbergh person declared nan movie their favourite of nan series.

Connery would yet return to prima successful Diamonds Are Forever (1971), and past return a 2nd clip for Never Say Never Again (1983), pursuing Roger Moore's tally arsenic nan iconic character.

In December, a personnel of George's squad announced that he was is successful betterment aft being hospitalised for a encephalon wounded pursuing a fall.

The actor, who fell astatine his location successful November, was rushed to infirmary earlier being cared for astatine a California nursing home. 

A personnel of his squad from Anders Frejdh Talent Management took to Twitter to update fans connected his health, writing: 'I'm very happy to study our customer George Lazenby has safely returned home.

'After an accidental autumn astatine location successful November starring to a caput injury, he's rehabilitated good acknowledgment to nan awesome squad astatine Beverly West Healthcare for which I, his family and friends are grateful for. 

'Not easy getting aged but astatine 84, George has surely demonstrated what a combatant he is. Love and only love.'