James Bond is in ‘safe hands’ with new producers, says Anthony Horowitz

Daniel Craig played James Bond in the latest films in the franchise (Suzan Moore/PA)

The author who took over writing the James Bond novels from Ian Fleming has said that the franchise is in “safe hands” with the new producers.

Anthony Horowitz, who is the creator of fictional teenage spy Alex Rider and has written three 007 novels, claimed former Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli made a “mistake” killing the character off in the last film when Daniel Craig left the franchise.