Iconic 'Bond girl' dies

Honor Blackman, one of the most memorable co-stars of the early James Bond films, has died at the age of 94.

The actress shot to fame in her late 30s after playing legendary Bond girl Pussy Galore in the 1964 movie Goldfinger, starring alongside Sean Connery.

It was only the third instalment in the storied spy franchise, and received critical acclaim and box-office success.

"As well as being a much adored mother and grandmother, Honor was an actor of hugely prolific creative talent," her family said. She possessed "an extraordinary combination of beauty, brains and physical prowess ... and a dedicated work ethic."

Blackman also became well-known in Britain for playing the character Cathy Gale in the popular 1960s TV spy series The Avengers.

She learned judo for her role as the leather-clad Gale and her martial arts skills helped land her the iconic role of Pussy Galore. "Most of the Bond girls have been bimbos," the BBC reported her as once saying. "I have never been a bimbo."

Among her other screen roles, Blackman played the goddess Hera in 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts and appeared in Bridget Jones's Diary.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE