No lesser an organ than our esteemed Daily Mail has quoted the former Missus Mendes, Kate Winslet, as saying that cuddly Sam may well still be helming the 23rd Bond film.

Hardly a concrete source, but then composer David Arnold has also said that the financial implosion of MGM may have improved, freeing 007 up from limbo for a rumoured November 2012 release.

And with Mendes and Barbara Broccoli seen attending West End play Deathtrap at least twice, could Simon Russell Beale be getting his wish to play a Bond baddie? Will any of this matter if they can’t get Daniel Craig back in the tux?