SUPER HERO James Bond could have been played by a man who grew up in Largs called Shields Cureton.

It is the stuff of childhood dreams for many, but it very nearly happened, the ‘News’ can reveal.

Shaken and not stirred, the intriguing story was told by local professional entertainer Scotty McLean who got in touch with the ‘News’, with a licence to thrill.

He said: “Did you know a Largs man was to be the actor in ‘Diamonds are Forever’ as James Bond 1970? My cousin, who now lives in Santa Barbara, was picked as the actor to follow George Lazenby.” Sean Connery Instead of the name Sean Connery in the opening titles, it could well have been Shields as 007, who hails from an original Largs family!

Six foot 2, with suave looks, Shields fitted the bill to play the secret agent after George Lazenby was second man to take the lead in 1969’s ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’.

It was when the production staff decided that Lazenby was not the man to take the film franchise forward, the search began in earnest for the new Bond.

Sean Connery had left the role after performing in the classic movie ‘Dr No’, ‘From Russia with Love’, ‘Goldfinger’, ‘Thunderball’ and ‘You Only Live Twice’.

When Guy Hamilton, the film’s director, saw a Shields Templar - the Largs man’s stage name - he was so impressed that he told the then 29 year old to stand by for possible international stardom.

Full story in the Largs & Millport Weekly News