Sir Sean calls it quits amid fears over his health

Published on Thursday 7 April 2011 08:19

FILM legend Sir Sean Connery has officially retired from public life, according to his spokeswoman.

The 80-year-old former 007 star unexpectedly failed to turn up at Dressed to Kilt, a key event of the Scotland Week programme in New York, sparking speculation about his health.

But publicist Nancy Seltzer said the Edinburgh-born actor was playing golf at his home in the Bahamas.

Sir Sean's 15-year-old granddaughter Saskia had been due to make her modelling debut at the show, but she also cancelled due to "an educational commitment".

Sir Sean is co-founder of the Friends of Scotland charity, which organises Dressed to Kilt.

A source was today quoted as saying: "Just earlier this week we had no doubt Sir Sean would be coming in his capacity as our honorary chairman.

"Then we got a call to say he wasn't coming. Apparently he's on the golf course.

"He's made no secret of his passion for Dressed to Kilt over the years and his name was definitely on the guest list. It's all a bit odd."

But Ms Seltzer played down health fears. She said: "I've left word for Sean, who is on the golf course. He told me he wasn't attending and had retired from public appearances."

Sir Sean, well known as an admirer of the SNP and First Minister Alex Salmond, has attended Dressed to Kilt with his wife Micheline five times in the past seven years and was expected to be this year's guest of honour.

He did pull out of hosting the event in 2007 amid reports he had been undergoing medical tests. But he later moved to allay concerns, saying: "I'm completely fine. I did receive my annual check-up last week, and I would like to say that I am feeling well and everything is in good order."

In 2003, it was reported Sir Sean had cataract operations on both eyes and in 2006 he had a kidney tumour removed.

Then in 2009 he was diagnosed with a heart condition.

There were fears for his wellbeing last year after he cited unspecified health reasons for missing a court hearing in Spain.

Around 50 models took to the catwalk for this year's Dressed to Kilt show.

Comic legend Billy Connolly, Italian-Scots singer Paolo Nutini and Scots-born Hollywood actor Brian Cox added star power to the line-up, along with Miss Scotland Nicola Mimnagh.

The event raised money for injured ex-servicemen's charities, including the Erskine Hospital.

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