London, Mar 23 (ANI): Being James Bond's paramour might be a deadly affair, for most of the Bond girls have died since the British superspy began his adventures.

According to a research conducted by The Times for the 40th anniversary of the publication of Goldfinger, which featured one of the most outlandish deaths - suffocation by gold paint - bedding agent 007 is proving fatal for the sultry Bond girls.

Sixteen of the 51 Bond lovers have met with a deadly end, kicked off by the murder of Jill Masterson, played by Shirley Eaton in 1964's third Bond film 'Goldfinger'.

Out of all the actors, who portrayed the British superspy in the James Bond franchise, Daniel Craig has been the most toxic.

His first lover, Solange, dies by the end of the first act of Casino Royale, and Vesper Lynd drowns.

In Sean Connery's 'In Thunderball' and 'You Only Live Twice' women were killed in assassination attempts aimed at the Bond, and one was eaten by piranhas.

George Lazenby, who appeared in the 1969 Bond film 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service', falls in love with Teresa Di Vicenzo, played by Diana Rigg, and eventually marries her, resulting in her death in a drive-by shooting.

However, Roger Moore's Bond was comparatively a safer partner, with only 28 per cent of the women who slept with him died.

Five of the 18 women cast alongside Moore met a painful end, including Grace Jones in 1985 film A 'View to Kill'. (ANI)