James Bond star George Lazenby has been dropped from a national music tour after allegedly boasting about his sexual conquests and making homophobic comments on stage.
The organiser of The Music of James Bond removed Lazenby, 83, from the show after audience members complained over the weekend. The Australian actor – who played 007 in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service – has faced a backlash after reportedly making the offensive comments in the presence of children.
On Monday, the show’s organiser Concertworks announced Lazenby has been axed from the tour's Melbourne leg because of his “unacceptable” comments during Saturday’s performance in Perth. The company removed him from promotional images on its Facebook page and released a statement.
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It said: “Concertworks is extremely saddened and disappointed by George Lazenby’s language, comments and recollections during The Music of James Bond concert at the Perth Concert Hall on Saturday 10 September. These were his personal views and there is no excuse for this in today’s society.
“They do not reflect the views of Concertworks. On behalf of Concertworks, we sincerely apologise to the audience, performers, conductor, WASO and the Perth Concert Hall.
“Concertworks denounces Mr Lazenby’s conduct and the final Music of James Bond concert in Melbourne will proceed without Mr Lazenby in attendance.”
A person claiming to have been in the audience of Saturday’s show told Australian radio station 6PR how the actor spent most of his time on stage talking about his “sexual conquests” and was ”homophobic.” They added: “He certainly wasn’t talking about his Bond movies, he downplayed the Queen, a day after she died.
“At one point he named an Australian cricketer whose daughter he was chasing and he said he dragged the daughter out of the pub and put her in the car in London, which is horrific. He named women he had slept with, and there were children in the audience, and a lot families who had brought their kids probably to their first classical music concert.”
The actor – who worked as a model before his role as the British spy – issued a statement on Twitter on Monday where he apologised for the comments. He said: “I am sorry and saddened to hear that my stories in Perth on Saturday might have offended some people. It was never my intention to make hurtful or homophobic comments and I am truly sorry if my stories that I have shared many times were taken that way.
“I only ever wish to share some stories and hopefully entertain some people. I personally have friends within my close circle who are gay and I would never wish to offend anyone.
“Having been surrounded by strong women all my life, I have always admired and respected women and their wishes.”
Lazenby only played 007 in one film after Sean Connery stepped down from the franchise after five years. Choosing not to continue the role, Lazenby was replaced by a returning Connery in Diamonds Are Forever, before he was subsequently replaced by Roger Moore in 1973’s Live and Let Die.
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