Idris Elba can't be Bond because he isn't 'English English' says Roger Moore

"I wonder what the phrase 'English-English' stand for"

Or let's say, 'a dog born in the stables does not become a horse'

By SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE FOR THE DAILY MAIL, 28 March 2015 | 

Interviewed in the new Paris Match magazine he is asked about the widely mooted idea of black British actor Idris Elba becoming the next 007.

'A few years ago, I said that [black actor] Cuba Gooding Jnr would make an excellent Bond, but it was a joke!' replies Sir Roger, 87, who starred in seven Bond movies between 1973 and 1985.

'Although James may have been played by a Scot, a Welshman and an Irishman, I think he should be "English-English",' he continues. 

'Nevertheless, it's an interesting idea, but unrealistic.'

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Bond? Might Sir Roger Moore be even more politically incorrect than his old alter ego James Bond by saying Idris Elba (pictured) can not play the role because he isn't 'English English'

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Controversy: A few years ago, I said that Cuba Gooding Jnr would make an excellent Bond, but it was a joke!' replies Sir Roger Moore (pictured)

The Scot who played Bond was Sean Connery, the Welshman was Timothy Dalton and the Irishman was Pierce Brosnan. 

But just what is it that prevents Elba from being 'English-English', Roger? He was born in Hackney, raised in East Ham, schooled in Canning Town, started work in Dagenham and he supports Arsenal.

How much more of an Englishman could he be? Even the fictional hero of Ian Fleming's novels was of mixed parentage. 

He was born in Zurich in the early Twenties to Andrew Bond of Glencoe and Monique Delacroix, from the Canton de Vaud in Switzerland.

Elba, who made his name as a crime lord in the U.S. TV series The Wire, has long been talked about as the favourite to succeed current Bond Daniel Craig.

In an email leaked by hackers, Amy Pascal, then co-chairwoman of Sony Pictures, producer of the Bond franchise, wrote: 'Idris should be the new Bond.'

'English English': Previous Bond actor Sean Connery (left) was Scottish, Timothy Dalton (centre) was Welsh and Pierce Brosnan (right) was Irish

Even Craig nominated Elba as his successor, saying he was the only man to replace him, and Skyfall actress Naomie Harris let slip that Elba has had talks with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.

If he succeeded Craig, Elba would become the first black 007. Elba has admitted he would love to land the role, but says he has 'been advised to pipe down'.

'If they thought I was self-campaigning it would be such a turn-off,' he said.

Nor is he so keen on the term 'black Bond'. 'We don't say 'white Bond', we just say 'Bond',' said Elba. 'So I hate that phrase.'

I wonder what he would make of the phrase 'English-English'.