WIRRAL superstar Daniel Craig has paid special tribute to James Bond predecessor Sir Roger Moore, who passed away this week.

The longest reigning 007 died in Switzerland, aged 89, after a “short but brave battle with cancer”, his family said.

Chester-born Craig - who made his acting debut on the stage as a pupil at Hilbre High School in West Kirby and has played Ian Fleming's superspy four times in the last 12 years - joined fellow former Bond Pierce Brosnan in paying tribute.

An image of Sir Roger with his arm around Daniel as they both wore tuxedos was posted to official Bond social media accounts on Tuesday night.

In an apparent reference to the theme of Sir Roger's The Spy Who Loved Me, Daniel wrote: "Nobody Does It Better – love Daniel".

Pierce, who like Daniel has starred as Bond four times, described Sir Roger as 'magnificent' as he shared a photograph on Instagram of the pair together.

He wrote: "It is indeed with a heavy heart that I hear the news of your passing this morning.

"You were a magnificent James Bond and one that lead the way for me, the world will miss you and your unique sense of humour for years to come.”

Sir Roger’s three children Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian confirmed the actor’s death.

In a statement yesterday, they said: "It is with a heavy heart that we must announce our loving father, Sir Roger Moore, has passed away today in Switzerland after a short but brave battle with cancer".

They said they would focus their attentions on supporting his wife, Kristina, and added that there will be a private funeral held in Monaco in "accordance with our father’s wishes".

The debonair star added a lighthearted touch to the 007 role during his seven performances.

He will also be remembered for the 1960s TV series The Saint and for his early 1970s show The Persuaders! in which he starred alongside Tony Curtis.

Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson said Sir Roger's "legacy shall live on through his films and the millions of lives he touched".

Jane Seymour, who starred with Sir Roger in 1973's Live And Let Die, remembered him as being "funny, kind and thoughtful to everyone around him".

Among Sir Roger's Bond films were Moonraker, A View To A Kill and The Man With The Golden Gun.

Off-screen, he was respected for his charity work.

He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1999 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 2003.

He was elected Goodwill Ambassador for Children's charity UNICEF in 1991, and was a dedicated and passionate supporter.

Asked about his career's proudest achievement during an interview with the Wirral Globe to promote his Audience with ... show in 2014, he said:

"My work for UNICEF was the most important thing.

"It's real life, trying to make a difference.

"I know that I've been able to make a difference to people’s lives by fundraising.

"Our problems are pebbles by comparison to those in other countries."

On Daniel Craig's casting as Bond, he added: "I think he's terrific. He’s the best Bond.

"He looks like he could kill someone. I look like I could love somebody to death".

Related story - Globe interview from June 16, 2014: Sir_Roger_Moore_looks_back_at_Bond_during_Floral_Pavilion_show/