Daniel’s mum once begged him to quit acting - Oct 25 2005
Daniel Craig’s mum once begged him to quit acting. The James Bond actor wanted to drop out of school to pursue an acting career at 16 - causing mum Carol to hold family crisis talks. She is quoted in the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: "I said if he wasn’t going to university, he must promise to get into a top drama school - or go back to school." The star won a coveted place at a top drama school two years later. Carol said: "To be one of 25 selected out of tens of thousands proved he had a talent."

Last week it was revealed Craig is set to have his manhood whacked with a carpet-beater in the next ’James Bond’ movie. The nasty torture scene sees 007’s enemy, Le Chiffre, "tenderise" the dashing spy’s private parts with a cane carpet-beater. The episode is one of the most famous in Ian Fleming’s thriller ’Casino Royale’ - and film bosses are determined to stick to the book.

However director Martin Campbell admitted filming the scene - which is supposed to see Bond arch in an "involuntary spasm" as the baddie tortures him - would be a challenge. He is quoted in the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "I’m still not quite sure how I’m going to film that scene."

Daniel Craig is set to have his manhood whacked - Oct 20 2005
Daniel Craig is set to have his manhood whacked with a carpet-beater in the next ’James Bond’ movie. The nasty torture scene sees 007’s enemy, Le Chiffre, "tenderise" the dashing spy’s private parts with a cane carpet-beater. The episode is one of the most well-known moments in Ian Fleming’s spy thriller ’Casino Royale’ - and film bosses are determined to stick to the book.

However director Martin Campbell admitted filming the scene - which is supposed to see Bond arch in an "involuntary spasm" as the baddie tortures him - would be a challenge. He is quoted in the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "I’m still not quite sure how I’m going to film that scene." The director added: "I think ’Casino Royale’ will definitely be darker. More character, less gadgets. This will be grittier."

Meanwhile, according to a report in the Daily Mirror newspaper, Craig never wanted to play James Bond - because the role wasn’t challenging enough. After meeting producers in May he said: "I really never wanted to do Bond." When asked if there would be any emotional challenge, he said: "There’s not. I want that to change. But I don’t know how much of a fight that’d be." However the 37-year-old admitted: "I want to make as much money as I can!" A friend revealed: "He couldn’t refuse. But that doesn’t mean he’s 100% happy."

Daniel Craig is the next James Bond - Oct 14 2005
Daniel Craig has been named as the next James Bond. The ’Layer Cake’ star - who was recently rumoured to have had a fling with Jude Law’s ex-fiancée Sienna Miller - won the coveted part of the dashing spy after an 18 month search to replace Pierce Brosnan.