Ageing With Attitude: Secrets to live a long and healthy life

Sean Connery hits 85 this week. The original Bond star is part of a generation that can look forward to reaching their 90s if they take care of their bodies, says Margaret Jennings.        

He exploded on to the big screen in 1962, bringing high speed fantasy and fun to an audience that rarely travelled by plane beyond Ireland — not to mention the far-flung exotic locations where 007 strutted his stuff.

That was 53 years ago, and Sean Connery, the dark handsome Scotsman who was 32 when he first took on the role, stole millions of hearts over the course of the seven Bond films he starred in, with his macho portrayal of the suave spy.