‘The world will miss him’ - ‘Heartbroken’ Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to Sir Sean Connery as Scotland mourns one of its ‘best loved sons’

Nicola Sturgeon has paid tribute to Sir Sean Connery following the announcement of the Scottish actor’s death.

In a series of tweets this afternoon, The First Minister said: “I was heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Sir Sean Connery.

“Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons.”

Ms Sturgeon went on to say that Sir Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and that, through “talent and sheer hard work,” became an “international film icon and one of the world’s most accomplished actors.”

Nicola Sturgeon has paid tribute to Sir Sean Connery following the actor's death.

She continued: “Sean will be remembered best as James Bond - the classic 007 - but his roles were many & varied. He was a global legend but, first and foremost, a patriotic and proud Scot - his towering presence at the opening of @ScotParl in 1999 showed his love for the country of his birth.

“Sean was a lifelong advocate of an independent Scotland and those of us who share that belief owe him a great debt of gratitude.

“It was a privilege to have known Sean. When I last spoke to him it was clear even then that his health was failing - but the voice, the spirit and the passion that we all loved so well were still there. I will miss him. Scotland will miss him. The world will miss him.”

The Edinburgh actor was famous for playing iconic spy James Bond and celebrated his 90th birthday in August.

Sir Sean Connery (centre) leads the parade into Central Park at 6th Avenue and Central Park South, New York, at the start of the Tartan Day Parade through the city in 2002.

He received an Oscar in 1988, when he was announced best supporting actor for his role as an Irish cop in The Untouchables.

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