Actor Desmond Llewelyn, who has died aged 85, created one of the most enduring characters of the cinema in Q, the Bond boffin. Q's clipped eccentricity, his essential Englishness, adorned 17 of the spy films and the next one will not be the same without him.

The drama of Mr Llewelyn's exit, in a head-on car crash, was shocking enough to be a Bond moment. But this was no special effect. Q will brief 007 no more - "now pay attention, Bond" - on exploding pens and laser watches.

But Mr Llewleyn's gentle characterisation has secured him a lasting place in the hearts of movie fans around the world.

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