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THEY’RE known for their sexy outfits and saucy scenes, but Bond Girls are just as iconic as 007 himself.

And we may not have long before a new bevvy of beauties turn heads, as the hunt for the next James Bond may now be over.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today show, 007 writer Steven Knight was asked whether he had written the film with the chosen actor in mind or based on what he already knew about the character.

He replied that it was “a bit of both”, seemingly confirming that an actor had been picked.

The next Bond will fill the shoes of Daniel Craig, who last played the secret agent in 2021’s No Time to Die.

Slow Horses actor Jack Lowden remains one of the frontrunners for the coveted role, while a host of other stars have been linked to the part since Craig’s departure.

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As fans know, the world’s slickest spy is rarely seen without a glamorous Bond Girl – or three – in tow, but no news has yet been released on who could be in the running. 

Many of the show’s most iconic moments centre around 007’s striking counterparts – and here, we look back at some of the original Bond Girls, and where they are now…

Ursula Andress – Dr. No – 1962

Ursula Andress launched the archetype of the Bond Girl as Honey Ryder in 1962’s Dr. No, alongside Sean Connery.

The image of her emerging from the ocean in a white bikini with a knife remains one of the franchise’s most defining moments. 

Ursula went on to pose nude for Playboy before starring with Elvis Presley in 1963’s Fun in Acapulco, with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in 4 for Texas, and with Laurence Olivier and Harry Hamlin – the father of her son Dimitri – in 1981’s Clash of the Titans.

After starring in films throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she gradually retired from acting to focus on her art collection and private life. 

Ursula, 90, said she felt “such pain” on hearing the news of Connery’s death in 2020 – saying they had “perfect chemistry” on screen.

The actress, who only married once – to American actor John Derek from 1957 until their divorce in 1966 – said: “He was a great man, today men like that just don’t exist, they are all too narcissistic, too taken with themselves.

”Today finding someone like Sean is very difficult. He was a great friend and a fabulous actor.”

Earlier this year, Italian authorities seized £17.3million worth of assets in Tuscany, including property, vineyards and olive groves, which had allegedly been bought with money embezzled from Ursula.

The former Bond Girl had filed a complaint in her native Switzerland alleging a “progressive and significant depletion of her assets” by individuals charged with managing her finances, Italy’s financial crimes police said in a statement.

Shirley Eaton – Goldfinger – 1964

Brit actress Shirley was hailed as the ultimate sex symbol after suffering the most famous Bond girl fate in the franchise, in 1964’s Goldfinger.

Her character, Jill Masterson, was murdered by being covered in gold paint from head to toe –  causing “skin suffocation.”

The iconic scene sparked a rumour she had died in filming, and she even appeared on a 2003 TV show to dispel the myth.

In fact the golden girl, now 89, gave up her career to bring up two children, Grant and Jason, with husband Colin Rowe.

Jane Seymour – Live and Let Die – 1973

For a character named Solitaire, Jane Seymour’s Bond Girl spends little time alone after meeting 007 and ending up in his bed in Live and Let Die.

A voodoo medium whose psychic powers depend on her virginity, she is seduced by Roger Moore’s Bond and loses her unique gift in the process.

The British star, who recently turned 75, went on to star in East of Eden, the TV series Dr Quinn Medicine Woman and The War with Grandpa, with Robert de Niro.

Outside of acting, she has built a massive lifestyle brand, written self-help books, and launched significant charitable foundations. 

Jane has been married four times, and was left “beyond bankrupt” by property deals involving second husband David Flynn.

In 2018, the mum-of-four became the oldest woman to pose for Playboy, at the age of 67. 

The spread came 45 years after appearing in the magazine the year she did Bond, and she said she now feels sexier than ever.

Britt Ekland – The Man with the Golden Gun – 1974

Swedish Britt Ekland brought charisma and comedic timing to her role as MI6 operative Mary Goodnight in 1974’s The Man with the Golden Gun opposite Roger Moore.

Needless to say her duties as Bond’s PA went beyond taking notes and keeping his diary – and a ‘good night’ was had by all.

Beyond 007, she was a regular fixture of 1970s pop culture, famous for her high-profile romances and busy film career.

She divorced comedian Peter Sellers, father to daughter Victoria in 1968, after a four-year marriage.

She went on to have a son with record producer Lou Adler and a high profile romance with Rod Stewart, which ended in 1977 after two years.

At 42, she married Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom, who was 23 at the time. They divorced in 1992.

Following Bond, she went on to star in the comedy Royal Flash and the 1989 movie Scandal, as well as a host of TV Miniseries, including Valley of the Dolls.

In 2010, she took part in I’m A Celebrity…, falling out with fainting campmate Gillian McKeith, and also appeared in The Real Marigold Hotel.

Britt, now 83, has also spoken candidly in recent years about “destroying her looks” with lip fillers in her 50s.

Barbara Bach – The Spy Who Loved Me – 1977

Barbara Bach broke the mold of the traditional damsel in distress by playing the formidable Soviet agent Anya Amasova in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me.

Despite attempting to murder Bond on their first meeting, inevitably, the pair end up as lovers, and the film ends with them floating off to sea in an escape pod after defeating evil Russian Karl Stromberg at his secret sea base.

In real life, she did float off into the sunset with another British icon – The Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr – after divorcing her first husband, who was an Italian count.

As well as starring in a handful of films, Barbara co-founded charity, the Lotus Foundation, alongside her husband, who she wed in 1981.

Since stepping out of the spotlight, Barbara, who is now 80, earned a degree in psychology and devoted her life to humanitarian work. 

Grace Jones – A View to a Kill – 1985

Singer Grace Jones turned the Bond universe on its head as the fierce, muscular, fashion-forward villain May Day in 1985’s A View to a Kill. 

In the Roger Moore film, she played the memorable henchwoman to villain Zorin.

Jamaica-born Grace was already a household name when she took the role in 1985.

She went on to release her iconic album Slave To The Rhythm the year after.

Grace, now 78, dated former bodyguard Dolph Lundgren and launched his acting career by getting him a role in the Bond film.

She has had one brief marriage – to Atila Altaunbay – and has a son by graphic designer Jean Paul Goude.

Not one to settle into retirement, she has maintained a legendary career as a music star and continues to tour and perform at music festivals.

Michelle Yeoh – Tomorrow Never Dies – 1997

With her martial arts skills and speed in a motorbike chase, Michelle Yeoh’s character Wai Lin certainly kept Pierce Brosnan on his toes in Tomorrow Never Dies.

Performing her own dangerous stunts, she redefined what an action heroine could be in a modern blockbuster. 

Her Bond turn opened doors to global stardom, leading to acclaimed roles in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Crazy Rich Asians, Avatar, and recently, Wicked. 

In 2023, she made history by winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. 

Michelle, 64, lives with former rally driver Jean Todt.

Halle Berry – Die Another Day – 2002

Starring as Jinx Johnson, opposite Pierce Brosnan’s suave spy, Halle spent a good deal of her time in a bikini and upped her fan base in the process.

But she wasn’t just a pretty face in 2002’s Die Another Day. 

Jinx was a trained assassin sent to kill a North Korean agent, and bedded Bond to get the information she needed to carry out her deadly task.

Before starring in Bond, she already had a Best Actress Oscar win under her belt, for Monster’s Ball in 2001.

She went on to play Storm in the X-Men movies, and appear in Moonfall and The Mothership.

Over the two decades since, she has built an expansive career as a Hollywood A-lister, action star, film producer, and director. 

In her personal life, Halle, 60, has been married three times and is now engaged to singer Van Hunt. 

In 2012, Halle went through a bitter custody battle with former partner Gabriel Aubry over their daughter, Nala, born in 2008.

She also has a son with third husband Olivier Martinez, although they separated in 2015, after two years of marriage.

In 2000, Halle pleaded no contest to charges of leaving the scene of a car accident in Hollywood, and was sentenced to three years’ probation, fined $13,500 and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

Earlier this year, the Oscar winner says she is having “the most amazing sex” with Van after her three divorces and is now with the “love of her life”.

The One Show has been bringing the nation together each weeknight for the past 20 years.

The beloved BBC show is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.

For two decades, The One Show has seen countless celebrities appear on the infamous green sofa from the likes of Tom Hanks, Cher, Kate Winslet and Tom Jones.

However, viewers have also seen a plethora of famous faces front the programme since it first aired back in 2006, including the first two presenters it ever had.

Initially, it was commissioned for a four-week trial run, with Adrian Chiles and Nadia Sawalha hosting the first episodes.

On X, someone unearthed the opening scene of the very first episode as Adrian welcomed viewers. In the introduction, he said: “Welcome to the very first One Show, live from the heart of the UK.

“Every day for the next four weeks, we’ll be telling all manner of stories. Good ones, funny ones, happy ones, sad ones, about all sorts of people all over the country.”

Nadia added: “I promise you that by the time we’re done, there won’t be a nook or cranny of this spectre dial we haven’t had a poke around in.”

They captioned the post: “I never knew Nadia Sawalha hosted the first year of The One Show?!! I wonder if she’ll be back for its 20th anniversary?”

People were quick to comment on the post, with many in disbelief over seeing the Loose Women star fronting the BBC series all those years ago.

One person said: “Was a pilot series, then Myleene Klass replaced Nadia when it went full-time, then Christine Bleakley came in. Wonder if Chris Evans, Jason Manford or Jermaine Jenas will make an appearance.”

Someone else added: “God, it feels like Alex Jones has been there foreeeeeeeeever.” As another shared: “She did the four-week pilot, before it became ‘always on’ the following year. I’m sure she was replaced by Mylene for a few weeks and then Christine.”

Nadia presented the show for its four-week run before she was replaced by Myleene Klass and later Christine Lampard before Alex Jones took over and has remained a staple on the programme for 16 years.

Speaking about being a long-running staple on the show, Alex commented: “I can’t believe it. Ultimately, it’s not about us who host it. The show itself is an institution, and it’s really found a way into people’s hearts. Especially since the pandemic I think, it’s become part of Britain’s daily routine.

“People switch on at 7pm and they know that they will get really good guests but also there’s always interesting VTs or we’re out around the UK celebrating individuals who’ve done something amazing in their community. It’s impossible to turn The One Show on and say I hate everything. I just don’t believe that you can.”

The One Show is available to watch weekdays on BBC One from 7pm