Australian actor George Lazenby has apologized for his comments deemed “creepy” and “disgusting” during an on-stage interview.
Mr. Lazenby, who played Agent 007 in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” was part of a tour across his native country called “The Music of James Bond.”
While his comments are unknown because they were not recorded, audience members in Perth described them as “homophobic” and “creepy.”
In a statement, the 83-year-old Australian native said he was sad to hear his anecdotes had offended fans.
“It was never my intention to make hurtful or homophobic comments and I am truly sorry if my stories that I have shared many times were taken that way,” he wrote.
However, the James Bond star was removed from all future tour performances.
The Concertworks theater producer said he was disappointed by what he described as Mr. Lazenby’s “language, comments and recollections” during Saturday’s show.
Later, the company’s lawyer Aaron Kernaghan said the actor’s comments were actually his personal views, adding: “There is no excuse for this in today’s society. They do not reflect the views of Concertworks.”
The West Australian newspaper quoted some attendees as saying that Mr. Lazenby had been jeered off stage after a brave audience member shouted: “Excuse me, this is offensive.”
Meanwhile, Concertworks has offered attendees a refund and announced that it had decided to “discontinue its relationship with Mr. Lazenby.”
The Western Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO), which also performed at Saturday’s show, released a statement saying the actor’s views were not endorsed by WASO or Perth Concert Hall.
“His recollections were personal views that may have reflected a time where such behavior was tolerated but has never been acceptable,” the orchestra added.
Australia’s culture minister David Templeman also spoke about the situation. He commented: “I understand that the audience made their views clear about the content and good on them.”
Mr. Lazenby gained international fame after being chosen to replace Sean Connery in the James Bond franchise in 1969. However, he only starred in one film and reportedly turned down a $1 million cash offer to reprise his role as 007.
