Guitarist and composer who played the James Bond theme, and later worked with pop stars such as Paul McCartney and Shirley Bassey The guitarist Vic Flick, who has died aged 87, enjoyed a 50-year career as a guitarist and composer. He worked with countless leading names from the pop industry, from Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, Engelbert Humperdinck and Cliff Richard to Petula Clark, Burt Bacharach and Shirley Bassey, but above all will be remembered for being the guitarist who played the indestructible James Bond theme, with its trademark “dum di-di dum-dum” rhythm. It was first used in Dr. No ..read more

Famed session musician, who also performed with the Beatles, Tom Jones, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton, died after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Vic Flick, the famed British session musician who picked out the famous jangly guitar motif on the James Bond theme song, has died aged 87. The musician’s son, Kevin Flick announced his father died on 14 November, after having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease ..read more

Leading makeup artist who worked on several Bond films, a Star Wars episode and Game of Thrones Paul Engelen, who has died aged 75 of cancer, was one of the screen’s top makeup designers, bringing his skills to half a dozen James Bond films – covering three incarnations of 007 – and the first Star Wars prequel in a career spanning almost 100 movies. When he switched to television for Game of Thrones, he was intent on eliciting gasps from the audience, creating blood and gore in the medieval fantasy series noted for its violence. He made his mark on the first three series (2011-13), joining aft ..read more

In interview 007 producer Barbara Broccoli says actor who takes on role will offer ‘something new and different’ The next actor taking on James Bond will be in his 30s and could be of any race, according to producer Barbara Broccoli. In a new interview with the Associated Press, Broccoli has teased what we might be able to expect from the much-anticipated reveal of the next 007. The article states: “It will be a man. He’ll likely be in his 30s. Whiteness is not a given ..read more

Eon Productions, based at Pinewood Studios near London, reported pre-tax profits down by three-quarters in 2023 Profit at the maker of the James Bond films fell by three-quarters last year as it went another year without a new blockbuster release in the multibillion-dollar 007 franchise. Eon Productions, which is headquartered at Pinewood Studios in the countryside west of London, reported pre-tax profits of £224,985 last year ..read more

With Amazon MGM and Barbara Broccoli in no hurry to rush their man back into service, by the time agent next hits the screen he might be unrecognisable to anyone over 25 Like a seasoned croupier brushing the felt off everyone’s chips, Amazon MGM Studios boss Jennifer Salke revealed this week in an interview with the Guardian that there is absolutely nothing to worry about with regard to the complete and utter absence of any significant sign of a new James Bond movie, any time soon. “The global audience will be patient,” she said. “We don’t want too much time between films, but we are not conce ..read more

Jennifer Salke, who is increasing investment in Britain, says some of the ideas floated in the post-Daniel Craig hiatus have been ‘interesting’ If there is anyone who knows what is happening behind the scenes in the saga over who will become the next James Bond, it’s Jennifer Salke, the global head of Amazon MGM Studios – home of box-office crown ­jewels including the 007 and Rocky franchises. Salke was part of the Amazon team that sealed an audacious $8.5bn deal in 2021 to buy the 100-year-old MGM and its celebrated library of 4,000 film titles and 17,000 hours of TV programming – rangin ..read more

Dr Claire Hubbard-Hall reveals contribution of Kathleen Pettigrew, most senior secretary in MI6 and inspiration for Ian Fleming, and others in new title For decades, their work has been hidden from view, their names missing from the history books. Now, a new book is seeking to shine a light on the secret and unacknowledged contributions of female spies who worked for MI6 in the early 20th century, and establish their place in history using previously classified evidence and newly unearthed documents ..read more

Being on set for Nick Hornby’s Funny Woman is so entertaining that the cast struggle to keep a straight face while filming. We spend time behind the scenes of this love letter to swinging 60s London A deafening fire alarm is going off. Bolton locals want to know what that dreadful noise is all about. They pause their shopping and start to crowd around the town hall in the rain, only for Gemma Arterton to appear out of the fire exit, fingers in ears, wearing a blond wig under a baker boy hat. “I’m in such a conspicuous costume,” she laughs, head down, wrapping her spectacular blue PVC coat roun ..read more

He was sworn to secrecy on Bond and is about to take on a fan-favourite character in The Rings of Power. But, for all the blockbuster roles, the British actor is a very sensible star “There is absolutely nothing wrong with having no hair and a big oval face, thank you very much!” Rory Kinnear is on a mission to let everyone know how great it is to be bald. He is “evangelical” about it, he says. The actor, perhaps best known for playing M’s chief of staff Bill Tanner in the four most recent Bond films, is a proudly bald man. (He says some kind things about my hairless scalp, too.) “Everyone sho ..read more