For a legend, Sean Connery has something of a bumpy reputation. This year alone he’s called Hollywood producers "idiots", and his neighbours have called him a "rude, foul-mouthed, fat old man".
Now his ex-wife Diane Cilenta has claimed that Connery mentally and physically abused her during their 11-year marriage.
Last year, Sean Connery (DVDs) announced that he was going to write his
autobiography. But Connery backed out when he realised that the publishers wanted him to delve too deeply into his private
life, claiming that he didn’t want to spend the rest of
his life correcting "inaccuracies."
These
inaccuracies seemed to include the rumours that he was a little bit
violent with the ladies. Sean hinted at this in a 1965 Playboy
interview where he said “I don’t think there is anything particularly wrong in hitting a woman".
Connery has always maintained that the comment was taken out of context, and
denies ever hitting his ex-wife. But now she’s saying differently.
It’s Diane Cilento’s turn to sign an autobiography deal, and she’s been
talking it up from her home in Queensland, Australia. She
thinks that her marriage to Connery was doomed because they were both from
such different backgrounds, and said that Sean reacted to 007 fame badly: "There was physical contact, but
it is important to see it in context.
You have got to remember he was probably twice my weight," she said.
The book will be published next year. Sean Connery, meanwhile, has
apparently gone back on his claim to never make another movie. He’s
signed up for Josiah’s Canon, a bank heist flick that will possibly
start shooting in the autumn.
Read more:
Connery’s first wife claims star bullied her – Scotsman
[story by Stuart Heritage]
