Sir Roger Moore Denies ‘Racist’ Idris Elba Comments

Sir Roger Moore has responded to backlash over comments he made about a potential black 007 as being “lost in translation”.

After a series of emails were leaked last year during the Sony hacking scandal, it was claimed that the company were looking at British star Idris Elba to take over from Daniel Craig as the world famous spy.

- Is James Bond a Time Lord? 
- Daniel Craig Channels Roger Moore In First SPECTRE Poster 
- SPECTRE: First Trailer For New Bond Film Revealed

Upon being asked about these rumours as the time, former Bond star Moore, 87, who was the longest running Bond figure, told Paris Match Magazine, “A few years ago, I said that (American actor) Cuba Gooding, Jr. would make an excellent Bond, but it was a joke… Although James may have been played by a Scot, a Welshman and an Irishman, I think he should be ‘English-English’… Nevertheless, it’s (British actor Elba playing the role) an interesting idea, but unrealistic.”

These comments led to a number of criticisms from fans and members of the public upon the magazines release, which has led to Moore speaking out about them on Twitter, stating, “An interview I gave to Paris Match implies I said something racist about Idris Elba. That is simply untrue. #Lost in translation.”

“When a journalist asks if ‘Bond should be English’ and you agree, then quotes you saying it about Idris Elba, it’s out of context.”

The new James Bond film ‘SPECTRE’ is set to be released on the November 2015.

Image credits: Press Association