Honor Blackman death: William Shatner and Piers Morgan lead tributes to Goldfinger star

Actor, best known for her role as Pussy Galore in the classic Bond film ‘Goldfinger’, died at the age of 94

William Shatner and Piers Morgan have led tributes to Goldfinger actor Honor Blackman, who has died at the age of 94.

“A wonderful actress, and my favourite of all the Bond girls when she played Pussy Galore in Goldfinger,” wrote the Good Morning Britain host on Twitter. “What a life.”

“Pussy Galore Honor Blackman has passed,” added Star Trek actor Shatner, along with a sad-faced emoji.

Blackman, who portrayed the iconic Bond girl Pussy Galore alongside Sean Connery, died of natural causes in Lewes, Sussex, her family said in a statement.

“As well as being a much-adored mother and grandmother, Honor was an actor of hugely prolific creative talent,” the statement read.

“With an extraordinary combination of beauty, brains and physical prowess, along with her unique voice and a dedicated work ethic, she achieved an unparalleled iconic status in the world of film and entertainment and with absolute commitment to her craft and total professionalism in all her endeavours she contributed to some of the great films and theatre productions of our times.”

Blackman’s other notable roles included her star-making turn as Cathy Gale in the espionage series The Avengers, and her appearances in films such as Shalako (1968), Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001).

She also portrayed Laura West in the ITV sitcom The Upper Hand, which ran from 1990 until 1996.

Filmmaker Edgar Wright added: “RIP, ultimate Bond Girl and original Avenger, Honor Blackman.”

“Farewell Honor Blackman,” tweeted David Walliams, who also posted a vintage photograph of the star having drawn the word “pussy” in sand.

“Farewell Pussy Galore,” tweeted Only Fools and Horses star John Challis. “The wonderful Honor Blackman has left the stage.”

Blackman, who most recently appeared in the 2012 film Cockneys vs Zombies, was married and divorced twice, to Bill Sankey and Maurice Kaufmann. She adopted two children with Kaufmann, Lottie and Barnaby.