Bond star Daniel Craig at 50: Drag past, sexual stamina and ‘monster package’ – The facts

Fit at fifty on March 2, the British leading man still has one more outing as the lady-killing secret agent.

Although he is now a major global star, his route to the top was slow and steady rather than explosive, unlike the reports below of his impressive sexual prowess.

Happily settled with fellow star Rachel Weisz, Craig will headline the still-untitled Bond 25, which is due to hit cinemas in November 2019.

As he celebrates his half-centenary, the book Daniel Craig: A Biography by Sarah Marshall explores the man behind the big screen myth with some eye-opening revelations.

1. Yesterday’s news:

Daniel Craig was born at home on Saturday, 2 March 1968, and when the nurse searched around for a towel or blanket to wrap him in there was nothing available.

He ended up being presented to his mother in an old newspaper: ‘Just like a packet of chips.’ 

2. 00Zero O Levels:

Daniel was never interested in school as he only ever wanted to act, so it’s not hard to see why he failed his 11-plus, his O Levels AND left school without completing his A Levels.He initailly failed to gain a place at RADA, LAMDA, the Young Vic or The Guildhall.

“It allowed me just to f*** around and be seventeen,” he said later.

After re-applying, he finally got a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Ewan MacGregor, Joseph Fiennes and Alistair McGowan were there at the same time.

3. Nothing like a dame:

He may be one of the biggest sex symbols in the world these days, famous for his bulging muscles.

The epitome of a man’s man occasionally even comes across as a little grumpy, but Craig was game for a laugh at school.

The ultimate alpha male even dragged up for a school production of Cinderella at Hilbre High School in Wirral.

Unsurprisingly, there was still no sign of a grin when Craig posed as a truly Ugly Sister.

4. A way with the ladies:

Craig started young, and has never been short of attention from beautiful women.

When he was 18 years old, he dated Marina Pepper. The couple met in a trendy Notting Hill bar. She was working as a Playboy model at the time and was two years older than Daniel.

“He was a tough act to follow because of his sexual stamina and he was also very sensitive to a woman’s body,” Marina later said.

She also gave hope to all curvy ladies out there when she confirmed that Daniel was ” a boobs man.”

Before marrying Rachel Weisz in 2011, Daniel was married to Scottish actress Fiona Loudon, with whom he had a daughter, Ella. The couple married when the actor was only 23 but divorced in 1994.

5. The full package:

Everybody has seen those iconic shots of Craig on the beach in Casino Royale when he emerges from the sea in tiny swimming trunks with muscles rippling everywhere.

Actress Judi Dench was lucky enough to work closely with Daniel Craig, and while using the trailer opposite, she was surprised to find Daniel wandering around naked one day.

So, was she impressed by what she saw? Dench teased: “It’s an absolute monster.” 

BONUS TRIVIA: Despite appearing far too serious to think about such things, it was actually Craig who selected the now-legendary blue trunks by Grigio Perla.

6. Drama queen:

Craig has has a history of dramatic declarations. He famously announced that he would “rather slit my wrists” than make another Bond film, after SPECTRE.

He was equally hysterical after his first screen test for the role with producer Barbara Broccoli.

Convinced it had gone badly he said: “If she hasn’t destroyed that piece of film yet, I hope she will. It’s awful. I don’t want anybody to ever see it. My eyes were just swimming.”

BOND BEAUTY BRITT ECKLAND’S SEXIEST SCENES

7. Passing on the torch:

Before he was even offered the role of James Bond, Craig wasn’t sure he wanted it, worried that other offers of work in smaller indie films would dry up.

He said: “I wonder, if I do Bond, whether or not directors would employ me, which would be a big shame.” 

A chance meeting with former Bond Pierce Brosnan helped change his mind: “He was at the same table as me. I thought, ‘I have to talk to him. I would feel like a d*** if I didn’t.'”

When Craig asked his predecessor what he thought of the opportunity, Brosnan took his hand and said: “Go for it. It’s a ride.”

8. Hopelessly Devoted to 1980s music:

What does he listen to in between takes and during furiously tough training sessions? Oh yes, Daniel Craig is apparently partial to the Grease soundtrack.

The actor has more than 5,000 songs on his iPod including some Kate Bush.

Couldn’t you just imagine him wailing along to a bit of Wuthering Heights?

9. Mum’s the word:

It was Daniel Craig’s mum who leaked the news about her son being the next James Bond in 2005 and not the production company, as was commonly believed at the time.

Daniel had told her about the role in strictest confidence and she was tricked by a journalist from a local newspaper to reveal the news.

Daniel Craig: The Biography by Sarah Marshall (John Blake Books, £7.99) is out now