With the new James Bond film “No Time to Die” finally released, Michael Duncan looks at the house in Mayfair where Sean Connery was cast in the Bond role. You can find out more in Michael’s walk James Bond and the Spies of Mayfair.

No 3 Audley Square in Mayfair was pronounced London’s most expensive rental property by the Daily Mail in 2014 which said it would cost any resident more than £750,000 a year to live there. 

But back in the early 60s it must have been much more affordable because Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman set up shop in the Grade 2 Georgian house to work on what was to become the first Bond movie, “Dr No”.

The budget was tight, Saltzman had already met Ian Fleming’s ludicrously high demand for $50,000 to place a 6-month hold on the rights and would have to pay him $100,000 for each completed film.

So in the heart of Mayfair the casting began for the first Bond and there was an almost endless list of runners and riders to play 007.

While Cary Grant was the obvious early favourite, Fleming himself favoured his friend David Niven.  Roger Moore was considered to be a bit smooth for the first Bond and Lord Lucan (yes him!) was tapped up but declined the chance to audition.

Broccoli and Saltzman had in any case wanted a more obscure actor and one with a bit of grit.  And with the help of Mrs Broccoli (who vouched for his sexual attractiveness and despite the doubts of Fleming, who thought him a bit “rough”) Sean Connery got the role.

We have a number of spy related walks to celebrate the release of “No Time To Die”:

Michael’s Walking Tour – James Bond and the Spies of Mayfair is on Saturday 25th September.

David Charnick will have tales from the streets of betrayals, assassinations and other covert activity in his Walking Tour – Dangerous Secrets on Sunday 26th September

If you prefer to listen online Rob Smith will have a Virtual Tour – True Spy Stories on Monday 27th September which includes lots of stories from World War Two including that of Merlin Minshall, one of the many real people who was the inspiration for the James Bond character.

Rob will also be doing a Walking Tour – True Spy Stories on Tuesday 28th September which will show you some of the buildings that have been used by MI6, Naval Intelligence and GCHQ in Westminster.

David will be looking at more Spy Fiction in his Walking Tour – Secret Writing on 2nd October, part of our annual Literary Festival

And there is another chance to walk James Bond and the Spies of Mayfair on 3rd October