Pierce I think you have really grown into Bond, I think you are better now than when you started.

Yes I suppose so, I suppose I am a bit more confident and relaxed with it. They are huge shoes to step into especially if you respect the role and have grown up with it, and you have so many people saying "he's great" or "he's not great". You have to get your head down and just steam ahead. The last seven years have gone very quickly.

Has the way you play it changed much?

It's easier, this one's been a joy to do and yet hard because it is the [40th]anniversary and the standards have been set high by the last three films. And the competition is fierce out there with the Harry Potters, The Lord of the Rings, so everyone has pushed to the max on this show.

There's obviously a generation that knows you as Bond, they don't think of the other guys.

Well there is a certain sense of ownership now and Sean has faded a little bit, but he's always there. He was the one I wanted to live up to, nothing against Roger, it's just that Connery was the one I saw when I was a lad.

I imagine if you want it the part is yours for another two, three, four movies, but physically you're getting on a bit, as we all are...

Yeah, I'm 49, 50 is around the corner. I think maybe one more, a sixth I don't know. It's kind of stretching it a bit and you really want to be able to get in the mix - do the fight scene, do the running, you've got to do the whole nine yards.

I believe this being the 40th anniversary there will be several references to other Bond films. Is there any truth in the rumour that you will be coming out of the sea in a white bikini?

[Laughs] No mate, sorry!

Watch the interview in full on Film 2002, Saturday 16th November on BBC TWO.