As a seven-year-old in about 1983, in the days before First Class Lounges at airports, I was with my grandad in Nice Airport and saw Roger Moore sitting at the departure gate, reading a paper. I told my granddad I’d just seen James Bond and asked if we could go over so I could get his autograph. My grandad had no idea who James Bond or Roger Moore were, so we walked over and he popped me in front of Roger Moore, with the words “my grandson says you’re famous. Can you sign this?”
As charming as you’d expect, Roger asks my name and duly signs the back of my plane ticket, a fulsome note full of best wishes. I’m ecstatic, but as we head back to our seats, I glance down at the signature. It’s hard to decipher it but it definitely doesn’t say ‘James Bond’. My grandad looks at it, half figures out it says ‘Roger Moore’ — I have absolutely no idea who that is, and my hearts sinks. I tell my grandad he’s signed it wrong, that he’s put someone else’s name — so my grandad heads back to Roger Moore, holding the ticket which he’s only just signed.
I remember staying by our seats and my grandad saying “he says you’ve signed the wrong name. He says your name is James Bond.” Roger Moore’s face crinkled up with realisation and he beckoned me over. When I was by his knee, he leant over, looked from side to side, raised an eyebrow and in a hushed voice said to me, “I have to sign my name as ‘Roger Moore’ because otherwise … Blofeld might find out I was here.” He asked me not to tell anyone that I’d just seen James Bond, and he thanked me for keeping his secret. I went back to our seats, my nerves absolutely jangling with delight. My grandad asked me if he’d signed ‘James Bond.’ No, I said. I’d got it wrong. I was working with James Bond now.
Many, many years later, I was working as a scriptwriter on a recording that involved UNICEF, and Roger Moore was doing a piece to camera as an ambassador. He was completely lovely and while the cameramen were setting up, I told him in passing the story of when I met him in Nice Airport. He was happy to hear it, and he had a chuckle and said “Well, I don’t remember but I’m glad you got to meet James Bond.” So that was lovely.
And then he did something so brilliant. After the filming, he walked past me in the corridor, heading out to his car — but as he got level, he paused, looked both ways, raised an eyebrow and in a hushed voice said, “Of course I remember our meeting in Nice. But I didn’t say anything in there, because those cameramen — any one of them could be working for Blofeld.”
I was as delighted at 30 as I had been at 7. What a man. What a tremendous man.
The charming story of a meeting with Sir Roger Moore (1927 – 2017) as recounted by scriptwriter Mark Haynes. The much loved actor, who played James Bond in seven films and had a influential ambassadorial role for UNICEF, will be sadly missed after his recent passing.
Wonderful story. Thanks, Alex!
My sis saw it and pointed it out to me. That story says so much about him. He really did have as much charm and warmth offscreen as on.
Great story. I miss Roger.
He was a wonderful man and fully understand what James Bond was about. Do you have a favourite outing of his?
Live and Let Die was the first Bond movie I saw so it holds a special place.
Nice choice. Great song too.
I adore that song.
I really found this a delightful read..I especially liked the part where Roger Moore said of” course I remember you..” it just makes him even more charming full of such wit and style. A treasured man who will has sadly passed but never forgotten in people’s heart. Thank you for sharing such an endearing story. ☺
My sis told me I just had to read this story. It’s so wonderful. I love those stories about how a famous person is with fans, especially young children. I imagine his autobiography would be a great read.
wow! such a great and inspiring story!
All that and more 🙂 You have to be a pretty wonderful person to have people tell stories like that about you.
So very true!
A lovely anecdote. Thanks for sharing this.
Happy to 🙂
Thank you for sharing this. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Moore was a great man who did a lot of great work, both on and off the screen.
He really was. He did so much for charity and had a real affinity with people. He did other good on screen work but he knew that it was Bond who he would always be best known for.
:’)
So happy you enjoyed it. It’s great when touching stories like this come out. It was the same with George Michael.
It must be nice to have these sorts of little but intimate connections with people you never dreamed of having them with.
I hope you get to have your own encounter with one soon 🙂
I love this so much!!! Thank you for sharing it, Alex and I hope you’ve had a lovely weekend! 💜
It’s a Bank Holiday weekend so even better than usual. Hope you’re having a great one.
Ours is a long weekend too!
Oh wow, what an awesome story! He has a great autobiography called my word is my bond- which is great reading.
Yes I think I will read it. I saw some extracts that were very entertaining. I think I will rewatch his Bond films first.
What a wonderful recollection. Shows how impressive the man was, and how sweet he could be.
I don’t doubt there are countless others like it. One of those people that nobody had a bad word to say about 🙂
my favorite Bond 🙂
A lot of people liked him as Bond 🙂
Holy Cow! What an awesome story, Alex. I’m so happy you got to meet the gentleman twice!
Well it wasn’t me, but I could totally picture it. His charm came right through.
Oh, did I miss something? I thought it was your personal story. Ha!
No ha. But it did connect with us all.
Oh I love this story. It shows what a sweet man he was.
Just delightful. Would love to have met him.
WONDERFUL!!!!!
It really did bring a smile.
What a truly lovely story
Yes. Those are the ones that really make someone special. Someone can be talented on screen but the real class acts have something about themselves off of it too.
I agree
What a great story, he was a true gent
For sure 🙂
I read this on another website. Oliver Harper, it does great video retrospectives and reviews, etc on youtube. It is a wonderful story.
I’m glad it has been so well shared 🙂
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Argh!! You had me. As I was reading it, I assumed you were talking about your experience of meeting Roger Moore!!
Once I came to the end, and realised your were just quoting a screenwriter, I was totally disappointed!! 😦
RIP: The Best looking Bond ever!!
Hah! I’ve never even come close to meeting a James Bond. It’s a great story though.
I think this was a lovely tribute to a good man! He seemed to be genuinely nice and caring. Mark Haynes was a lucky man!
Although I enjoyed watching Sean Connery in the role of James Bond, there was a playfulness and aspect of fun missing in his dry sense of humor. Now, Roger Moore was wonderful! Of course the TV series, “The Saint” shows my age but I sure liked it when my parents let us stay up and watch it over holidays. 🙂 Peace to Roger. 🕊
Not at all. My dad watches it still, and a good show is a good show whenever you see it. Which was your favourite Bond film?
Alex, all the ones he made were so distinctive Moonraker and Octopussy were iconic, as well as his first experience as James Bond in Live and Let Die.
I’m going to rewatch them all again soon.
Oh, my friend and co-worker reminded me of The Persuaders TV show. I think it is like an older Equalizer with Roger Moore in it. He also played a brother on Maverick of James Garner, I think. I looked it up and his name was “Beau Maverick.” 🙂 I was six but probably this show ran on repeats!
You have a great memory 🙂
I am funny with TV and movies, remember details (but you do, too.) But on the other hand where did I set down my car keys or put that receipt for gas? 😀
Hope you have a great 4th! 🇺🇸
Haha you too.
Love this. Saw it on FB and it made me smile.
I’m glad so many saw it.
This is such a wonderful Roger Moore anecdote that perfectly captures his charm, wit and kindness to fans. A truly remarkable figure and a Bond to always cherish.
Nothing I can add to that 😊