BONDING EXERCISE

1978

Shaken and stirred: Dashing actor Oliver Tobias was poised for 007 adventure in the late 1970s, but appeared instead alongside Dame Joan Collins in The Stud. The movie was based on the bestselling book by Joan’s sister, Jackie Collins.

1997

From Brookie to Bond? Actor Vince Earl was best known as Brookside’s Ron Dixon and appeared in Boys From The Blackstuff, but was out to prove in the 1990s that he had the right stuff to play James Bond.

1996

Is there a doctor in the house? The cast of BBC’s Casualty opted for a James Bond theme for their Christmas special with actor Gray O’Brien, who played Richard McCaig, channelling his inner secret agent.

1989

Licence to laugh: Benny Hill appeared in films like Chitty Chittty Bang Bang and The Italian Job, but never got the call to play 007. The comedy star dressed as a James Bond style secret agent though when he posed with his Hills Angels against the New York skyline.

1972

Double O’Connor: The theatrical grapevine was buzzing in the early 70s with the rumour that Des O’Connor was on the shortlist to play the new James Bond. The entertainer decided to go into training for the part. After all, he had one O in his name ... why not double O?

1967

The name’s Bond, Jimmy Bond: Woody Allen played Jimmy Bond in the comedy spy spoof Casino Royale with David Niven as Sir James Bond and Ursula Andress, who starred as Honey Ryder in the first Bond film, Dr No, in 1962, appearing this time as Vesper Lynd.

1996

Deadlier than the male: Not everyone wanted to be 007. Gina Bellman appeared as Miss Funnyboddie in the spoof James Bond advert for Boddingtons Bitter.

1983

From Birmingham with love: The young members of Musical Youth all had the chance to be Bond for the day when they recorded the video for their single 007 (Shanty Town) .

1995

Golden age: Rock star Tina Turner revealed her James Bond skills during a press conference. U2’s Bono and the Edge wrote the theme song of the movie GoldenEye for her. 007 writer Ian Fleming named his home in Jamaica Goldeneye.

00...WHO? AS SPECULATION GROWS OVER WHO WILL BE THE NEXT JAMES BOND, MARION McMULLEN LOOKS AT SOME FAMOUS FACES WHO FANCIED THEMSELVES AS THE SUPER SPY