George Lazenby hits back in bitter divorce battle

Actor George Lazenby's divorce battle grew increasingly bitter as the James Bond star prepared his retaliation against claims he was an abusive alcoholic, reports the Press Association.

Court papers filed at Los Angeles Superior Court reveal a series of accusations by ex-wife and former tennis star Pam Shriver.

According to reports, she accuses the actor of threatening to kill her and fighting with her in front of their three young children. Shriver claims he offered beer to the toddlers, and launched an anti-Semitic rant in a restaurant in Los Angeles in 2002, newspaper reports said.

She accuses her ex-husband, who played James Bond once in 1969, of having "severe anger management issues, alcoholism and poor parenting skills".

Lazenby's spokesman Michael Sands said that he will file papers with the court next week answering all the allegations and giving his side of the story.

Describing the actor as "father of the year", he added: "George is devastated by the allegations filed by the court. He is devastated and saddened that Pam has aired the alleged dirty laundry. I don't know what I'm going to hear next about George. He loves his kids so much."

Mr Sands denied that the actor is anti-Semitic - the spokesman is Jewish and has known him for more than 30 years.

Lazenby has also gone to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with Sands four or five times a week in a bid to stay tee-total.

Pam Shriver won 21 singles and 112 doubles titles in her tennis career. She married Lazenby in 2002.

The couple's custody dispute will be heard at Los Angeles Superior Court on August 25.

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