The British star first played the superspy in 2006's Casino Royale and has since won the praise of the franchise's producer Michael G. Wilson.

He is currently in Mexico shooting scenes for Spectre, his fourth outing as 007, and he admits the role is still a dream come true.

Craig tells Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "I literally have to pinch myself when I come in to work, like this morning when I came into the centre of Mexico. I was driving an Aston Martin around Rome a couple of weeks ago. You would have to be numb not to get a kick out of that."

Wilson adds, "He is an incredible Bond. Because Bond has to be a physical specimen, he works out like an Olympic athlete in the morning and evening and lives like a monk. He goes to bed at 9pm and is up at 5am."

Spectre, the 24th Bond film, is due for release later this year (15).