16 OCTOBER 2002
After signing in with a specially issued James Bond “swipe card”, you scope out secret agent M’s London office and peruse scientist Q’s famed gadget lab. No, not a scene from a 007 flick – it’s the new London exhibition devoted to the world’s most famous spy.

The Bond, James Bond exhibition at the Science Museum kicked off on Tuesday with special appearances by actor Christopher Lee – also known as villain Scaramanga from The Man With The Golden Gun – and Bond babe Pussy Galore herself, actress Honor Blackman.

Called by organisers “the greatest collection of original 007 objects, images and costumes ever assembled”, the interactive display features everything from bad guy Oddjob’s killer bowler hat to Bond’s latest car, the Aston Martin Vanquish.

Producer Barbara Broccoli, whose late father, filmmaker Albert “Cubby” Broccoli was the mind behind the 007 series, was on hand for the launch, but demurred when asked to speculate who would be filling the spy’s big screen shoes in the future. “I’d love (Pierce Brosnan) to do another Bond,” she said. “People always ask me who the next Bond is. That is like asking a bride walking down the aisle who her next husband is going to be.”

The Bond, James Bond exhibition runs until the end of March 2003 in London before setting of on a world tour.

Click here to check out From HELLO! With Love – our tribute to 40 years of 007