DANIEL Craig is the longest-serving James Bond ever and one of Hollywood’s most in-demand stars.
But long before the vodka martinis, glamorous women and sharp suits of 007, the actor was a quiet young schoolboy with “watery eyes”.
The actor, 53, attended Hoylake Primary in The Wirral where he performed in plays and fronted a rock band.
In a school picture from 1979 taken before his class moved up to Hilbre High School, Daniel can be seen smiling happily in the very back row.
Despite his love of performing, his former school friends were dumbstruck when the little lad they knew took over from Pierce Brosnan as James Bond.
Teacher Lindsay Holmes, 53, told the Mail: “Daniel was quite quiet and little. A wee delicate boy who had very strong, pale blue, watery eyes. My mum was a dinner lady and would always make sure Daniel was eating because he wasn’t very big at that stage.”
Debbie Green, who works as a chauffeur, said: “I knew him as Danny back then. He was always a really nice lad. He was in every show and play at school.
“I was gobsmacked when he landed the role of Bond, but I think he’s been brilliant.”
Daniel, who is married to actress Rachel Weisz, became serious about acting as a teen, studying at the National Youth Theatre in London before enrolling at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Graduating in 1991, he worked hard across film, TV and stage during the nineties and early noughties and was duly rewarded with the Bond role in 2005.
Although initially reluctant to accept it, franchise bosses did their utmost to woo him, and the chance to bring more emotional depth to the character eventually persuaded him.
His first effort, Casino Royale, was released in 2006 to strong reviews from both critics and fans.
Since then he has filmed a further four Bond movies, with his final one, No Time To Die, about to hit cinemas.
