Craig told Brosnan he was no longer Bond

Daniel Craig broke Pierce Brosnan's heart when he told the Irishman he had been dropped as James Bond at an awards ceremony in February.

Craig had been offered the coveted 007 role and was sure producers had already informed Brosnan his four-movie run as Bond had come to an end - but they hadn't.

He recalls: "I said: 'Look, this is a possibility, what do you think?'

"I don't know if I gave him much choice, but he said, 'Go for it.' (I can't believe) he didn't hit me."