Disappointed candidates for the role of James Bond only discovered they missed out on the chance to play the next 007 when Daniel Craig was unveiled as the new superspy.

A number of actors were in the running for the coveted role right up to the end, including Colin Salmon, who has played M's chief of staff CHARLES ROBINSON in three previous films, and was a hot favourite to become the first black Bond.

Salmon says, "I only knew I'd lost out on the role when it was announced Daniel had got it.

"Daniel is a good guy and a great actor.

The actor, 43, adds he thinks his Bond career is over: "I imagine they will be assembling a new cast. I'm also not sure how well my character would translate. He's very straight and I think they need to change the whole format."