British investor William Chase offers funding help to Bond producers

The man who harvested a £30m fortune from Tyrrells Potato Chips and then distilled it into Chase Vodka is seeking a licence to make another killing, this time in films - reports The Telegraph.

William Chase has contacted Barbara Broccoli, the producer behind the James Bond franchise, to see if he can offer some help in resolving the funding issues that have halted production on the latest film.

I won't bore you with the details but MGM, the studio that makes the films, is running out of cash so has had to shelve the latest film, the 23rd to be produced.

Now, Chase is a rich man from his various business endeavours, but not that rich. The budget for the last James Bond film was a cool $230m (£158m).

Still, I understand the approach hasn't been rebuffed. Good news for Bond fans. Not so good perhaps for Smirnoff. Until recently the vodka has been the film's official partner.

How will the mighty brand feel about upstaged about its upstart Herefordshire rival? I'm sure you know the line – shaken not stirred.

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