The paper claims that Craig 'let slip' that the film will not feature a car chase. This appears to be idle speculation, as earlier location reports from Italy hinted that 007 would chase down Siena's narrow underground alleys and medieval aqueducts in his Aston Martin. Earlier this week, the company confirmed the return of the DBS from Casino Royale.

The last time to Bond stunt team were spotted practicing boat manoeuvres and stunts on a lake in Hampshire was in the lead up to filming for "The World Is Not Enough" (1999), which ultimately took place on the River Thames in London.

There is no hint yet as to where the real Bond 22 action will be shot, but locations for the film will include Panama, Italy and Austria.

Above: The Daily Star broke the first picture from UK pre-production on Bond 22 (dedicatedtodaniel.com)

Rather than simply playing a henchman as first reported, Taubman insists his role is larger, and more of a secondary villain to the lead baddie played by French actor Mathieu Amalric. After confirming his character will also be French, he said "it is a really big role, but I must not say more".

As with the other cast and crew members, Taubman is bound by a strict confidentiality agreement. "Anyone involved in the Bond production must sign a 'non disclosure agreement' which includes everything down to the last detail", he said. "It is fitting that there is so much secrecy on a production for the most famous agent in film history."

Taubman has the script and guards it like a treasure, and does not even travel with it. He said the role in the Bond film will open doors to him which have alluded the European actor despite previously working on several Hollywood productions. "An appearance in a Bond film represents a completely different dimension that cannot be compared to any other project."