Peter Sellers was ‘a very tormented soul’ – His Bond star ex-wife Britt Ekland speaks out

It’s been 40 years since comedy film star Peter Sellers died. And now his ex-wife and James Bond actress Britt Ekland has opened up about their relationship in a revealing new BBC documentary that airs this week called Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy. Ekland famously got hitched to the 39-year-old after dating for just three weeks when she was 21.

The Swedish actress’ marriage to Sellers from 1964 to 1968 saw much press attention and difficulties in their private life.

According to The Observer, in the new documentary, the 77-year-old spoke of her husband’s “serious ill health” and alcohol and cocaine dependency.

And also his mental instability and controlling nature towards her.

Ekland said how Sellers would tell her what to wear after purchasing all her clothes without getting her opinion.

READ MORE: Britt Ekland relationship: Why did Britt Ekland marry Peter Sellers?

The Bond star said: “He called me and said, ‘Ask the production if you can have an extra day off’. 

“And they said no. He just said that’s taken care of. Someone drove me to the airport. 

“The next thing I know I land in California, where I’d never been before, with no clothes. The plan was I would spend the weekend [there] and then I would fly back. 

“When I arrived, he said, ‘I have a doctor here because you don’t look well’. The doctor said, ‘She’s suffering strain and stress. You can’t possibly go back to filming’.”