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Tom Jones got a Dr No for Bond role

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James McLaren James McLaren | 10:28 UK time, Monday, 4 October 2010

Sir Tom Jones has revealed that he was once considered for the role of .

Tom Jones

Tom Jones

Read the ´óÏó´«Ã½ News story here.

In an interview with to be broadcast today, the Treforest Voice (who contributed the theme song to Thunderball) says that he was one of the names considered for the iconic role, probably as Sean Connery's tenure was coming to an end.

Sir Tom told breakfast presenter Lynn Parsons: "When I was young I would have liked to be James Bond, and at one time it was discussed," he revealed.

"I think it came from Cubby Broccoli, who was the man in charge, of course, and he said when my name was put forward, 'Tom Jones is so recognisable as Tom Jones - he's a character, he's become this singer with a big character'.

"'So in order for him to do James Bond, would people accept him as being James Bond? Could they get past him being Tom Jones?' - and so apparently that was what the problem was," Sir Tom added.While it might be surprising to have considered a Welshman for the oh-so-very English spy, the actors who have played Bond include Sean Connery (Scottish), George Lazenby (Australian), Timothy Dalton (Welsh) and Pierce Brosnan (Irish). Only Roger Moore and Daniel Craig have actually been English.

However, it's difficult to imagine Jones being able to twist his Welsh brogue into smooth received pronunciation. His Welshness is a far less interesting reason to be declined for the role compared to that given to explorer , who was told he had "Hands too big and a face like a farmer".

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Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    Bond's character was actually a half Scot, half Swiss with 'strong links to Scotland' according to Flemming. So short of quintessentially English, he's been an Anglo Scot played by more Celts than any other nationality.

  • Comment number 2.

    I never knew that. Though I guess today's films are so far removed from Fleming's original vision that you can forgive them for being a little flexible with the casting.

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