WHY DANIEL’S SAID CASINO-NO TO ANY MORE BOND MOVIES Co-star tells of pressure that led perfectionist Craig to quit

Campbell to perfect the “intensity” of the younger 007. “There was a scene where I arrive at the casino and my husband is about to move his playing card,” she adds. “We shot that over and over for two days. “I remember Daniel saying, ‘don’t put the camera on me. I don’t know what to do any more’. So many people laughed at that. After two days shooting the same thing you can’t really create anything new. But we had to remember Daniel is a perfectionist.”

The former Miss Italy has starred in 16 movies and TV series since then and she credits Craig with giving the role of the Bond Girl credibility.

She explains: “He helped to change things. Now any actress would love to play a Bond girl now because the standard of acting and directing is so high. It’s not such a cliché role. It has more layers, more emotion for the actors to give to their performance.

“It’s the same for Bond villains too. Daniel started a new era for Bond, and he’s made the role incredibly desirable.”

Caterina will next be on screen alongside Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke in Voice from the Stone. But her Bond ties continue – she is the face and brand ambassador of the new 007 for Women fragrance. Bookies have stopped taking bets on 35-year-old Hiddleston and Poldark star Aidan Turner, 32, as the new 007. But Caterina backs producer Barbara to choose Hiddleston, despite his claims he will not be offered the job.

“I am a huge fan of his work,” she says. “I still see Barbara. She was a mother to us all. And I believe Barbara she will go for someone like Tom who has a theatre background.”