Bond girl Britt Ekland says she’s delighted with her youthful looks and good health as she turns 80

She is known for playing glamorous Bond girl Mary Goodnight in the 007 movies.

And Britt Ekland, who starred in the franchise’s 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun, insists she’ll keep her great looks until “the day I die.”

The actress, who turned 80 this week, confidently told the Mirror: ‘I will dye my hair until the day I die. Vanity is my best friend.’

She added: ‘I don’t think there are many people who reach my age and can work and run around and take care of things and enjoy life and feel healthy and happy.

“I’m very grateful for that.”

Britt starred in The Man with the Golden Gun alongside the late Sir Roger Moore and she says she is still recognized today.

“People who meet me still call me a Bond Girl,” she explained. “And they find it so exciting – like I made the movie yesterday. But 007 is almost as old as me now.’

The star said there is nothing that makes her more proud than knowing she is part of ‘movie history’, adding that she sees the Bond character as an ‘icon’ and that as a Bond girl she is part of the legacy of the franchise.

Britt was already known as an actress before starring as Mary Goodnight, appearing in films such as Get Carter and The Wicker Man.

And she says she spent most of her days filming the 007 movies in a bikini, along with fellow Bond girl, Swedish actress Maud Adams, who is still a close friend today.

Britt remembers actor Sir Roger Moore – who died in 2017 and starred in seven James Bond films between 1973 and 1985 – as ‘the perfect gentleman’.

She said he entertained the cast and crew, but insisted he was very professional on set.

The actress added that although she wore swimwear for most of her time on the Bond set, Sir Roger never flirted so she was always comfortable.

Despite being proud of her appearance these days, Britt has previously spoken out about her regret getting fillers on her face, describing them as “the biggest mistake of my life.”

The Swedish actress said in an interview with Platinum magazine in June last year that she would never have plastic surgery again after undergoing a terrifying “lippumping” procedure in Paris.

Looking back, Britt claimed: ‘Everyone has the right to choose’ [surgery]. I did all that when I was in my 50s but wouldn’t consider it again. I don’t feel like looking different than I am.’

The actress had made an appointment with a Paris-based doctor through a Harley Street consultancy to have her lips filled.

Instead of the mediocre treatment she expected, the doctor made multiple injections around the edge of her lips with Articol, which he said was a “new dental material.”

Looking back on the incident, Britt claimed she “felt like I screwed up my face” and said she is now content with aging and is no longer seeking cosmetic surgery that will help her maintain her appearance.

She said, “I feel great now, better than in many years… aging happens to everyone. There’s no point complaining about it or wishing you could change.

“We’re all going one way and there’s nothing we can do about that. It’s just a matter of taking care of yourself on that journey.”