Actor Simon Beale up for 'good guy' role in Bond 23

There was a certain inevitability, given his shape and form, that when Simon Russell Beale was mooted for a part in the next James Bond film it was assumed that Sam Mendes, the director, was considering casting him as the baddie.

Such "fattism" obscured the truth, however. Mandrake of the Telegraph can disclose that the distinguished stage actor, pictured, is in fact in detailed talks to appear as one of the good guys. "

"It's too early to confirm anything, but the part he is up for is not a baddie," confirms his spokesman. "There was this assumption he was up to play such a character, but it was never the case."

The actor, who is currently on fine sinister form in the West End play Deathtrap, has made little secret of his desire to appear in a Bond film and has admitted that he approached his old friend Mendes to plead his case.

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