The first blond James Bond - Hoylake actor Daniel Craig has scooped the coveted role of the world's favourite spy

THE ACTOR set to be named the new James Bond once played an ugly sister.

Merseyside drama teacher Brenda Davies today told how she discovered Daniel Craig.

And she revealed one of the Hilbre High pupil's early roles was less masculine than his new identity.

Craig is set to follow in the tough-guy footsteps of Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.

But he appeared in a production at his Frankby Road, West Kirby, school as one of Cinderella's sisters.

Drama teacher Brenda Davies

Miss Davies said she had to convince the shy 13-year-old to audition for a part in a school play after he pulled a face at her.

But she said as soon as he got up on stage she knew he was going to be a star.

Miss Davies was auditioning for parts in musical Oliver! at the school in 1981 when Craig walked in.

She said: "Danny had tagged along with a friend who was auditioning for a part in Oliver. He just wanted to stay to watch his friend, and had no interest in auditioning.

"But I told him he could only stay if he auditioned too. He was adamant he wouldn't, and eventually pulled such a face I told him he'd be perfect for the part of the undertaker, Mr Sowerberry."

Miss Davies said she still remembers being bowled over by his audition.

She said: "He had such timing and range, and he had stage presence for a 13-year-old, I thought 'what have we got here?'.

"But if you'd asked me then if we'd had the next Bond on our hands, I could only have told you then he had the potential."

After getting the part of Mr Sowerberry in Oliver!, Miss Davies said Craig decided that he wanted to be an actor.

Miss Davies remembers him playing hotheaded Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet - and an ugly sister in Cinderella.

"Daniel was quite simply excellent, she said. "I'm sure he'll be the best Bond yet.

"He was always popular with his classmates, and like Bond, he was always popular with the girls. He may be the next Mr Bond but I'll always think of him as Mr Sowerberry."

Источник: http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/