Next James Bond could be black or a woman, says producer

Television heart-throb James Norton has been tipped to be the next James Bond — but could the War & Peace star be the wrong sex and colour?

For producer Barbara Broccoli, who is in charge of the highly lucrative spy series, has dropped a big hint that 007 could next be played by a black or female actor.

Barbara, 57, whose father Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli turned Ian Fleming’s espionage novels into the world’s biggest spy film franchise, was asked if we could expect to see a female Bond or a black 007.

Daniel Craig, 49, declared in 2015 that he would rather ‘slash his wrists’ than play 007 again, but was persuaded last year to do one final mission

‘These films tend to reflect the times so we always try to push the envelope a little bit,’ she replied. ‘Anything is possible.

‘Right now it’s Daniel Craig, and I’m very happy with Daniel Craig, but who knows what the future will bring?’

Barbara has already reinvented Bond once, from the tall, dark-haired smoothie most memorably portrayed by Sir Roger Moore, to Craig’s muscle-bound, blond assassin.

Craig, 49, declared in 2015 that he would rather ‘slash his wrists’ than play 007 again, but was persuaded last year — with the help of a reported £100 million pay cheque — to sign up for his fifth mission.

Broccoli’s close friend Sir Roger Moore is, sadly, no longer around to raise his objections to any radical changes to Fleming’s character.

Broccoli's close friend Sir Roger Moore (pictured as Bond in the 1983 film, Octopussy) is, sadly, no longer around to raise his objections to any radical changes to Fleming's character

Broccoli’s close friend Sir Roger Moore (pictured as Bond in the 1983 film, Octopussy) is, sadly, no longer around to raise his objections to any radical changes to Fleming’s character

Sir Roger, who died in May at the age of 89, told this newspaper in 2015: ‘I have heard people talk about how there should be a lady Bond or a gay Bond.

‘But they wouldn’t be Bond for the simple reason that wasn’t what Ian Fleming wrote.

‘It is not about being homophobic or, for that matter, racist — it is simply about being true to the character.’

Davina McCall has left some fans worried about her gaunt appearance but the TV presenter says her gruelling fitness regime is so she avoids becoming a traditional middle-aged woman. 

‘I’m the fittest and healthiest I’ve ever been,’ boasts Davina, 50, who recently split from her husband of 17 years, Matthew Robertson. 

‘I thought I’d be in a twinset and pearls at 50, so I feel a sense of achievement of what my body can still do.’ 

What’s wrong with a chic twinset and pearls? 

As the 86-year-old media magnate Rupert Murdoch enjoys marital bliss with Jerry Hall, 61, his ex-wife Wendi Deng's romance with her Hungarian toyboy goes from strength to strength

As the 86-year-old media magnate Rupert Murdoch enjoys marital bliss with Jerry Hall, 61, his ex-wife Wendi Deng’s romance with her Hungarian toyboy goes from strength to strength

Wendi, 49, is in St Barts with 22-year-old model Bertold Zahoran. He could be seen whispering sweet nothings in her ear as they partied on a yacht where fellow guests included Sir Paul McCartney and his daughter Stella

Wendi, 49, is in St Barts with 22-year-old model Bertold Zahoran. He could be seen whispering sweet nothings in her ear as they partied on a yacht where fellow guests included Sir Paul McCartney and his daughter Stella

As the 86-year-old media magnate Rupert Murdoch enjoys marital bliss with Jerry Hall, 61, his ex-wife Wendi Deng’s romance with her Hungarian toyboy goes from strength to strength.

Wendi, 49, is in St Barts with 22-year-old model Bertold Zahoran. 

He could be seen whispering sweet nothings in her ear as they partied on a yacht where fellow guests included Sir Paul McCartney and his daughter Stella.

Since Wendi began courting Bertold last year they have enjoyed a string of star-studded holidays including an April break in Tahiti, where they were joined by X-Men star Hugh Jackman.

Hunt Master Owain Fisher broke with tradition during his speech at the Boxing Day meet of the Ross Harriers, jumping off his horse to propose to girlfriend Asher Jenkins. 

Luckily, his proposal — in front of hundreds of onlookers in Ross-on-Wye — was accepted. 

‘I would have looked a right plonker if things hadn’t gone to plan,’ admits Owain. 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk