The pair has thrown its support behind charity Age UK’s Bobble Day, which urges the British public to buy colourful knitted accessories to attach to their winter clothes to raise funds for old folk struggling through the cold season as part of the organisation’s Spread The Warmth drive.

Former Bond star Sir Roger, who reveals he was labelled ‘The Big Knit’ by Sir Michael Caine because of his early days as a sweater model, is eager for Brits to purchase the charitable accessories.

He says, “This ‘Big Knit’ now supports Age UK’s Bobble Day and I’ll be urging everyone to wear their favourite knitwear on February 10th: you too could look as debonair, suave and sophisticated as me – Bobble-O-Seven! But more importantly, you will also be helping to save lives by supporting Age UK’s Spread the Warmth campaign.”

Absolutely Fabulous actress Lumley adds, “Please join me in making a donation to Age UK to help older people who are suffering from the cold this winter. It’s a hugely important cause; let’s Spread the Warmth together.”

Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood’s ex-wife Jo is also supporting the campaign.

The 79-year-old Lugner makes headlines in Austria every year by inviting celebrities to the ball, the highlight of Vienna’s social calendar with tickets starting at 250 euros ($327) and boxes going for as much as 18,500 euros. His previous guests have included actresses Andie MacDowell and Faye Dunaway, although in recent years, Lugner has favoured starlets and scandal-sheet regulars like party girl Paris Hilton.

Last year Karima El Mahroug, the teenage Moroccan woman known as “Ruby the Heart-Stealer” who was at the centre of a sex scandal involving former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, was on his arm.

“I look forward to coming to Vienna,” Nielsen, 48, said in a video message at a press conference in the Austrian capital, confirming she would attend the February 16 ball.

The former wife of action star Sylvester Stallone, Nielsen appeared in films like “Rocky IV” and “Beverly Hills Cop II” in the 1980s and most recently in the German production of the reality show “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here”.

British actor Moore, 84, and his wife will also join Lugner in his box, the Austrian said, adding that “lots of women go crazy for him.”

Top model Helena Christensen, 43, will also attend the ball as a guest of lingerie company Triumph.

Hello Sir Roger

Seasonal Salutations to you and your loved ones. I hope you have a lovely Christmas, and a happy, healthy 2012.

My question for December is this….

I was just wondering, on occasion when your children were younger and they were with you on location sometimes (for your Bond movies or other movies), i would like to know if they enjoyed all the different countries they went to, and if so, do you have any fond recollections of traveling to locations with them?

Thank you very much for continuing to answer our questions, and for being an inspiration to all who meet you.

Best wishes as always
Noel

G’day Noel

Yes the family accompanied me whenever possible and practical. If I was just away for a week or two, then no they’d stay at home, but if I was away for some time like on The Sea Wolves and Octopussy – which were many weeks many thousands of miles away – they’d come out with their mother and be around throughout. We’d have a tutor and nanny to help out. My producers were always very kind and thoughtful in that respect.

We always had fun and on a rare day off I could take the family out on a drive to see some of the area around us. We were very lucky!

Back at the studio, we lives only 3 miles from Pinewood so I got to see them every day.

Question 2

Dear Mr. Moore,
Here’s a question I’ve had for 50 years:
I was a great fan of “The Alaskans” and you, Dorothy Provine and Jeff York.
(Sorry to hear you didn’t love the series.)
But for about the first half of the season, your viewers could expect a weekly
episode where one of the 3 of you were the main player, and
then all 3 of you showed up at the end of the show. Once in awhile you all
3 were in a whole episode. At some point roughly half way through the series,
Jeff York stopped appearing at all…..and he never re-appeared. I looked
for news items to see if he had become ill, quit or was fired, but I never could
find an answer. (Perhaps it’s in your biography, which I do intend on reading.)
But could you answer: what happened to Jeff York for the 2nd half of “The Alaskans” series?
Thank you very much, Charles Judge

Hi Charles

That’s an interesting question, to which I really don’t know the answer. We were all under contract to Warners and consequently could be moved around from show to show, or film to film, all the time. I remember Jeff being around but I don’t recall there being any big news about him being ill or anything like that. To be honest it wasn’t the happiest part of my career, so I guess I’ve blanked it out a little!

Question 3

Dear Sir Roger,

I was watching a film with you and the late Elizabeth Taylor the other day, I can’t remember what it’s called, but I know it was your first Hollywood appearance. I was thinking how Liz Taylor is one of the greatest actresses tof the 50′s and 60′s and beyond. I know you worked with some other very famous faces, but never Marilyn Monroe Which is a shame. But out of all the people you’ve acted alongside or worked with, who are your favourites and why?

Hi

I don’t really like naming favourites, but will say in my early career the person who did the most to help me as a co-star was Eleanor Parker in a film called Interrupted Melody. So was so generous and giving in her performance, and taught me so much. She’d be quick to say – when the director described how he’d shoot a scene – “Roger why don’t you stand here, as you’ll look better at that angle” and things like that. I’ll never forget her kindness.

Question 4

Sir Roger,

I enjoyed watching you in “A Princess for Christmas”. You did a very good job evolving from a bitter person to a gentle human being, in the movie. You have always shown good range in your performances. I guess many associate you with providing light touches and humor to your roles. But when you have had the opportunity to be real serious (reminding Barbara Bach’s character in “The Spy Who Loved Me” about the dangers of the spy business and your talk from your jail cell to Van Damme’s character in “The Quest”), you have delivered very well.

What a treat it was to see the beautiful Lady Kristina in the holiday movie. She also handled her part in an excellent way. My questions are as follows:
1. Did it take a lot of persuasion to convince Lady Kristina to participate in that movie?
2. What were your thoughts of the actor who played your son, Sam Heughan? Do you think he might be a credible candidate to play Bond, in the future, when Daniel Craig eventually turns in his license to kill?

Thank you,

Ellis

Hello Ellis

Well they asked my wife and she said “how much?”.

No! I jest. Kristina was around throughout the shoot, as we were on location in Bulgaria together, and although she’d never admit it, it can get a little boring being on a film set as things take a long time to set up and there’s nothing to do but wait. So the producer Brad Krevoy – who also had his wife and daughter in scenes – suggested Kristina might like to be in the ball scenes, with a lovely dress. Kristina loves dancing and loves the opportunity to dress elegantly, so she jumped at the chance. It meant she had something to do other than sit in the background watching an old English actor.

She didn’t expect any close ups, but I know the director sneaked a couple in of her.

The whole cast were lovely. Sam is a fine young actor who I’d not met before, and he impressed me greatly.

The young Leila was terrific too – reminding me of a young Jodie Foster in Candleshoe. In fact, I later discovered her grandmother was a great friend and neighbour of my dear producing partner Bob Baker. Small world eh?

Question 5

Dear Sir Roger!

In My word is my Bond you described the studios in Hollywood and how things was when you first came there. Since then, things has changed a bit. What would you say is the best and the worst things that the changes has brought to the film industry?

I would also like to ask you what the status is with Connamarra days? Will the production start this year?

I hope you and your family will have a great Christmas, now with yet another Moore. Is newborn Max looking like his father or mother?

Take care!

Kind regards,

Hello

Well everybody says Hollywood has changed. It has.

Once upon a time showmen ran the business. They were big men who made big movies.

Now it’s more to do with figures and bottom lines in budgets than anything else. Creative freedom is not what it was. But then again I guess budgets are so vast now that it creates a nervous financial atmosphere and everyone wants a say how their money is spent.

As for Connemara, oh we are trying so hard. We were very close 18 months ago in closing the finances, but didn’t quite get there in time. Then elements fell out. It’s a tough old business and even with a good script and cast, it’s very difficult to get financed these days. We really hope to get it going in 2012.

Question 6

Hi dear Sir Roger,

I am a big fan of yours since my childhood. I have watched your every film and TV series. In my opinion you have the caliber,charm and sophistication equivalent to Cary Grant.
I have seen pics of you and Cary Grant. Have you talked to him.What do you think about him?

Hi

Well Cary was a good friend of mine, and later a business partner in Faberge. I never worked with him on a film but did try, when Iwas a big cheese at Brut Films (part of Faberge) to get him involved in acting again but he simply didn’t want to. He’d retired and that was that, he said.

Cary was a hugely fun person to be around. His slightly childish sense of humour matched my own and he had a very good head for business.

“When I was in The Saint I thought I was Bond and gambled. The producers thought I’d be a good replacement,” he smiled in an interview with BBC Breakfast. Roger is currently starring in “A Princess for Christmas”, which premiered on the Hallmark Channel earlier this month. The 84-yearold star says the festive movie was a welcome change from his high octane action films. “There’s no bombs, no explosions and no-one gets a disease,” he said, referring to the dramatic Bond storylines. “This is a happy story.”

In the early 1950s, Roger worked as a male model, appearing in print advertisements for knitwear which earned him the amusing nickname ‘The Big Knit’. The star laughs when he thinks of his early reputation, given to him by a fellow British actor. “Only Sir Michael Caine!” he laughed. Roger has enjoyed an illustrious film and television career. He is shocked when he thinks about how long it has spanned.

“It’s further than I can count,” he quipped.

Hello Sir Roger: 

I hope you and your family are doing well. I have a question about filming scenes. Obviously, an actor must memorize and know his lines. Inevitably, in the filming of a scene, there will be moments when the actor forgets his lines. Are there cue cards off camera for the actor to read off? Or is there someone off camera to whisper the forgotten line? Or is the scene simply done again? 

With kind regards, 

Ellis

Hello Ellis

On films you do occasionally dry, and you’re given your script to look at and they then ‘go once more’ on the scene. There isn’t a prompter like in the theatre (as that is live of course, you can’t pause to go look at a script) and rarely are idiot boards used. My friend Desmond Llewelyn used them occasionally for technical dialogue as he got older, but they are a bit of a distraction.

Learn your lines and don’t bump into the furniture!

Question 2

Dear Sir Roger, 

Of course when asked about the most exotic Bond locations, one immediately thinks of Jamaica, India, Thailand, etc. However my own favourite locations are the three Italian ones in three consecutive of your Bonds: 

- Sardinia – in Spy Who Loved Me

- Venice – in Moonraker

- Cortina – in For Your Eyes Only 

Luckily I have been able to visit all three, they are quite close to Austria… 

I would like to ask you if you indeed enjoyed filming in those locations and perhaps which of the three you liked best. 

Thanks and best wishes always 

Martin

Hello Martin

I have enjoyed the majority of locations I’ve worked in, but Sardinia has always – and probably always will – rate of my favourite. It was just heavenly!

If you’ve been to all three, which do you prefer I ask? 

Question 3 

Dear Sir Roger , 

   I’m a 14 year old girl from Greece and I’m a huge fan of you so when I saw on your official website that everyone can ask you a question each month I decided to write you. I love your movies and your TV series. Last summer I read your book ”My word is my Bond” and I found it great. I also admire your work in UNICEF so much. My question is as follows:What was the funniest that ever happened to you while you were shooting a movie?I also like to ask you if you have any plans about starring in another movie after ”Christmas at Castlebury Hall”?

   Well, thank you very much for reading my letter. 

   Will you come to Greece soon? 

With my best wishes 

   Marili Antoniou

Dear Marili

Oh goodness, there are so many funny things I can’t recall them all but on Boat Trip (which I made around the Greek Islands) I was asked to pretend to whisper something into Horatio Sanz’s ear for him then to react with disgust. I didn’t have to say anything, but make it look as though I did. Anyhow, I did actually whisper a few words into his ear which caused him to almost convulse in disgust – no acting was required! The whole crew fell apart and Horatio wouldn’t speak to me for ages!! It was all great fun.

If I’m offered another movie I’ll certainly consider it.

Question 4 

Hello Sir Roger,

I really hope everything is fine with you! 

I’m ALWAYS glad to read all news about you. 

Further to the best James Bond ever of my life (!!!) I’ve always admired another British actor too often undervalued, too quickly forgotten, too soon passed away: Michael Billington, the “dark” side of my ideal beauty (for his hair colour..) when I was a teen-ager and also used to watch the U.F.O. episodes. 

He was screen-tested 5 times for the James Bond role (even if I’m happiest he was definitely YOU   ) and, probably, you barely met, due to the apparently different locations you were at in The spy who loved me.  But it is also possible that you knew very well each other, being both “Children of ITC” for a while. Who knows? Only you! 

However my question is: have you ever felt sort of “rivalry” with him? Do you have any peculiar good or bad memory of him?    

I deeply thank you for your attention and rely on your legendary frankness.

Best regards,

For more than 20 years the actor has been a dynamic supporter of the charity which protects the rights of children around the world and he now asks for the help of a younger generation. The new Junior Ambassador competition will give children up to the age of 18 the chance to get actively involved and creative with the charity UNICEF.

“Day after day, all over the world, the rights of children are abused. During my 20 years with UNICEF my mission was clear: Children must know their rights and we as adults have a responsibility to help them stand up for their rights,” explained Sir Roger Moore as he spoke of his commitment to the Junior Ambassador competition.

All entries will be judged by a team from UNICEF and the winner will be announced in June next year. The winner will be given the opportunity to work with UNICEF with every entrant receiving a certificate for their involvement with the charity and children’s rights.

For more information about the charity and to watch Sir Roger Moore’s video appeal visit: http://www.unicef.at/juniorbotschafter.html

To apply for the competition fill in the online form at: http://www.unicef.at/519.html

 Premiering on The Hallmark Channel December the 3^rd

Dear Sir Roger,

I’m a big fan of your television work; not many actors manage to cross over between television and film as gracefully as you have. There’s a new biography of Jack Kelly coming out next month. You and he seemed to have great chemistry in Maverick – what’s your best memory of working together?

Best wishes,
Melissa (New York, USA) 

Hi Melissa

Yes I heard about the book on Jack. I think I may even have contributed to it.

Jack was a great mate, and great fun. I remember most fondly our card schools at weekends and on evenings. I was a terrible gambler back then.

It’s a pity we never got to work together again. 

Question 2

Dear Sir Roger,
Thanks for being kind enough to answer my previous question about my favorite show The Persuaders. Two of my favorite actors are you and Christopher Lee, so as you might imagine I especially enjoyed The Man With The Golden Gun. Britt Ekland is lovely and you and Mr. Lee are both so much fun to watch. I was wondering if you had any thoughts you would share about working with him and if you are friends off screen? If so, do you still see each other these days?
Thanks again,
John Caje

Hello John

I speak with Christopher occasionally, and about 18 months ago had lunch with him at The Ivy in London.

I guess we probably go back further together than any other of our respective co-stars, back to 1946 when we were playing stage door johnnies in ‘Trottie True’.

Who knows, if a film project Richard Kiel is pulling together comes off, we may well be on screen together again!

Question 3

Dear Sir Roger,
I recently had a chance encounter with Michael G. Wilson at the train station in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, whilst commuting back home. That was quite a bit of luck for a Bond fan like me! He was very nice and civil, despite being accosted by a total stanger from France! What is he really like to work with? As one of the last independant film maker/producer in the cinema industry, he has a very high profile and always seem to be very professional. What memories do you have of him whilst working with Eon Productions?
By the way, thanks for answering my question about Andrew Mc Laglen a couple of years ago. I look forward to read your new book.
Kind regards,

Laurent Berges (UK and France

Bonjour Laurent

Michael was around the sets for as long as a can remember, first as a family member, then as legal advisor and then later as a producer and writer. He really did serve an apprenticeship in all departments!

I always remember Michael as having a camera with him. He was and is an accomplished photographer, and quite an expert on all things relating to photography.

I know he is involved with the film museum up in Bradford, and is often up there. Next time you see him, remind him that this old actor would still like to play a Bond villain!

Question 4 

Dear Sir Moore,

just briefly I want to tell you I have made my daughter Julia, 14 years old now, a fan of The Saint and The Persuaders and she´s also quite well familiar with the Bond movies. This is nice since since I have been a fan of yours since the early seventies. My question is; of all the movies you played in, excluding the Bond movies and the TV series, which 2-3 are your favourite movies (titles)? Thanking you for a really great book and a lot of enjoyment, I wish you a nice autumn and all the best.

Thomas Holmén
Helsinki, Finland

Hello Thomas

Your daughter obviously has very good taste.

The Man Who Haunted himself is a favourite of mine, and the title sums up the story perfectly. Shout At The Devil is another provocative title, and a terrific story. As for my third? Hmmmm. I rather think Bullseye is a fun title. Not many people would agree the film matched it though. Ha!

Question 5

Dear Sir Roger, first all: Happy birthday!!
Now the question of your month. You have a great voice and many times we heard you in documentaries and animation movies. I believe in the radio importance, even today in this era dominated for the image (cinema, video, internet, TV, etc), but some years ago the radio was the way for the imagination, in Colombia, my country, characterized for have in one territory many different sites and great diversity (Caribbean islands and ports, coast Pacific, Andean mountains, Amazon jungles, extensive plains, big cities and small towns) the radio ever were the link between the countrymen.
Do you worked professionally in the radio? Did you considered this work option in the past?

Thanks a lot. (Feliz Cumpleaños!! – again), best regards.

Dixon Acosta (Bogotá, Colombia).

Hello Dixon

I did a tiny little radio theatrical work, but nothing to boast about, in the early days. Of course I have done so many radio programmes since, as a guest, talking about myself or plugging a film (or book) I’m involved with.

I rather enjoy radio, as you don’t have to dress up,  can pick your nose and stuff a bun in your mouth when they play a record. (I am of course joking, but some newspapers take me seriously).

Radio is very informal, friendly and fun – and you can often phone it in! 

Question 6

Hello again Sir Roger from Wet Wales
Many thanks for answering my previous question. Really was a thrill to meet you in person at the Persuaders event.

I recall seeing a publicity photo of you with the delightful Linda Thorson when she was on location filming an episode of “The Avengers”. Can you recall why you were there? Were you still doing the Saint at the time or was it for some other film or TV appearance. Were you a fan of the Avengers series (it is a big favourite of mine). All the best. Mark (from Swansea)

Hello Mark

Linda was filming The Avengers at Elstree at the same time I was there with The Saint. We often used to socialise in the studio restaurant, or just wonder on to each other’s sets to say hello.

I enjoyed The Avengers, and though Pat MacNee was superb in it.

Is that out on blu-ray yet?

Co-starring with Roger  Moore is Katie McGrath (Merlin), Sam Heughan (Doctors), Travis Turner (Supernatural) and Leilah De Meza. A Princess for Christmas is a Motion Picture Corporation of America production with Brad Krevoy, Francisco J. Gonzalez and Reuben Liber executive producing. Michael Damian and Janeen Damian are producers and script co-writers.

“A Princess for Christmas” tells the story of a 20-something who becomes guardian to her young niece and nephew when her sister and brother-in-law are killed in an accident. Her brother-in-law’s father, Edward (Moore), is a duke who was absent from their lives and wants to reconnect with the children out of love for his late son.