NS&I becomes a more valued companion

The new James Bond film Spectre is almost here, and despite the 007 franchise’s famous stylish insouciance and flippancy, it takes itself with deadly seriousness. People employed by it are expected to take the party line at all times. Which is why we’ve had the spectacle of two of its most famous actor-representatives cracking under the strain of pretending that this latest Bond film is the most important thing in their lives.

First Bond himself, Daniel Craig, snapped he’d “rather slash my wrists” than reprise the role. To the supposedly fascinating question about who should play 007 next, he replied crisply: “I don’t give a fuck.” He went on: If I did another Bond movie, it would only be for the money.

As for Christoph Waltz, who is playing the villain, he recently spoke about the intolerable experience of being asked by journalists to mark his Bond experience out of 10. He cocked his thumbs and gave a ghastly, mocking grin: “Eleven out of 10!” I always enjoy Bond movies but of course they are daft, and you need very intelligent actors to play them with just the right twinkle in the eye.