Sir Sean Connery backs Daniel Craig as `a completely new departure` for James Bond

02-Dec-2005 • Casino Royale

Sir Sean Connery has given his backing to the latest actor to play James Bond.

Daniel Craig, 37, best-known for his role in thriller Layer Cake and on TV's Our Friends in the North will make his debut as 007 in Casino Royale.

Sir Sean, was famed in the role in the 1960s, exclusively told BBC One's Breakfast that Craig was as a "terrific choice... a completely new departure".

Sir Sean added that the actor would be "really interesting, different" in the role.

Above: Daniel Craig as James Bond

Sir Sean will pick up a Lifetime Achievement Award at the European Film Academy awards this weekend.

Connery played James Bond in six films between 1962 and 1971 including Dr No and Diamonds Are Forever.

The Oscar-winner told the BBC he eventually became tired of the part.

"One of the reasons I stopped doing it was because I got really fed up with the space stuff and special effects," he said. "I just found it getting more and more influential in the movies."

Thanks to `newy007` for the alert.