Stunt men pay tribute to Daniel Craig

Stunt experts have paid tribute to Daniel Craig's skill and strength in filming Casino Royale.

Gary Powell has played a key role in several Bond outings, including flipping a boat in The World Is Not Enough and driving a run-away crane in Goldeneye. He also worked on the latest film and has shared his views on how Craig performed.

"Daniel really took some hits on Casino Royale," he explained. "I'd see him bruised and cut up, fight after fight. And he'd just say: 'Oh s***, that smarted a bit, let's go again'.

"Someone told me recently: 'Sean Connery sweated, Roger Moore perspired and Pierce Brosnan glowed.' I don't agree but I'll add one thing - Daniel Craig bleeds. He did everything we asked of him and more. Without a doubt Daniel is the toughest."

Former soldier Joss Skottowe, meanwhile, had the job of teaching Craig how shoot a gun. He also gave his strength in the role credit. "We use real guns in the movie, even though they've been adapted to fire blanks," he explained.

"I brought in some SAS chums to give Daniel some extra training. And even they were impressed. One said to me, 'That boy's a natural'. And he's right. Daniel is the only Bond who in real life could pass SAS selection. He's fit, he looks like a killer and he's smart."

Scuba diving expert Dave Shaw also told the Sunday Mirror how Craig was commited to playing his part properly. "Daniel really threw himself into training," he observed. "We were having to film six metres under water and even three metres can kill you. If you surface too quickly, you can burst a lung.

"Daniel was having to hold his breath for up to a minute - he must have swallowed pints of water but he never whinged. Daniel was without doubt my favourite Bond to work with."