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She played the iconic Moneypenny to Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond, has puckered up with said Mr Brosnan and Sean Bean, worked with Kenneth Branagh, and now resides in one of

TV’s hottest properties, Downton Abbey – but Samantha Bond goes all Cilla on us the moment she arrives (early) at the studio.

She asks our names and where we’ve come from, compliments us on our outfits, and promptly sticks on a 60s soundtrack to listen to during the day. She dances at every opportunity (we even caught her dancing on the way to the loo), and talks endlessly about the concerts she’s been to.

Her latest venture is WWII drama Home Fires, where Sam (she insists it’s Sam, not Samantha) takes on the role of Frances Barden, a no-nonsense, radical thinker who has some different ideas on how the Women’s Institute (WI) can contribute to the war effort.

With a predominantly female cast, Sam was in her element, and although friendly, warm and good fun, we do see some things in her that reflect the attitude of Frances.

She knows what she wants to wear, how she wears her hair, how she wants to pose, (when we try to direct her to do as our Editor requested, she cackles, "Well, she’s not here, is she?" and continues to pose her way), and she’s sure to shut down any topics she doesn’t feel comfortable speaking about. But she does it so graciously, we truly don’t mind.

We like a woman who knows what she wants, and with experience like hers, we think she has every right to call the shots. Sam talks big roles, big dreams and Big Macs…

You’re filming the last ever series of Downton. What’s going to happen next?

I’d love to spill some spoilers, but I’m sworn to secrecy. Plus I don’t see the episodes I’m not in. My knowledge of Downton is limited – it’s ‘something happens in episodes one and two, I’m in it for a bit, then something else happens’.

Is it fun working with your friend Dame Maggie Smith?

We worked together 20 years ago and became very close. My mum had just been diagnosed with cancer and Maggie was a huge support. She is really wicked and makes me laugh a lot, which I needed.

We play Bananagram (a word game that comes in a banana bag) on set. It’s an amazing game. Maggie gets very cross with me for playing two-letter words.

(Image: ITV)

You work with some very successful ladies on Downton – Lily James (Lady Rose) is set to be a Hollywood star after Cinderella…

Oh, she’s wonderful. She’s storming ahead, isn’t she? She never asked me for any advice, though.

And what’s this about you doing a 10k run with Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary)?

Here’s the thing about this run. I’m of a certain age, and I don’t run. But luckily Michelle, God bless her, said she’d do it. She gets back to the hotel after filming and she’ll be off on a run anyway, that’s why she’s in such glorious shape. So I won’t be running. But I am allowed to give out medals.

How do you stay in such great shape?

I don’t go to the gym, but I’m an intrepid walker. I loathe people who dawdle because I walk at quite a speed. I like to walk and see my beautiful city. I’m very proud to be from London.

Do you eat healthily?

I really do. But I love McDonald’s. I have a Big Mac meal, medium, with a Coca-Cola. If I’m in the West End it’s my treat. I call it the mid-week-matinee-mac.

You played Auntie Angela on Outnumbered, can you relate to a crazy family dynamic?

Are you accusing Angela of being crazy? I think she was misrepresented and Sue is insane. It’s a difficult family to be a part of.

Are your family most like Outnumbered or Downton?

We’re most like the kitchen staff at Downton Abbey. People are constantly tripping over one another, everyone is on a mission all the time, and there’s always chaos. I can relate to that.

Amid that chaos, how do you unwind?

By having everyone together for a family meal. I’m not a great cook, but I love to feed and entertain – it’s a big thing in our house. Plus, now the kids are in their early 20s they can cook and it’s mum who’s laying the table. We have lots of camp-ness. We like a candle and a linen napkin.

You played the ultimate Bond girl, Miss Moneypenny…

Right, this will be brief…

(Image: Wenn)

Do you not enjoy talking about it?

It isn’t that, it’s just I haven’t made a James Bond film in 17 years, and if you roll all my screen time into one it would be the smallest role I’ve ever done. So although I’m proud to have done them, I had a hoot, and yes, Pierce Brosnan is a great kisser, better than Sean Bean. But I don’t know what else to say.

You must have known it would be a role you’d always be associated with?

To be honest, I’d never seen a Bond film in a cinema and I had no idea of the scale of what I was getting into. I didn’t know it was a global thing. I thought he was just a British spy person.

Do you still get recognised for it?

Men of a certain age will get dewy eyed. I was their Moneypenny. People are always immensely polite. I get asked for selfies, I don’t mind now I’ve mastered holding the phone at a proper angle.

Do you watch yourself on screen?

I do, but behind a sofa. It’s horrible.

(Image: Rex)

Do you and your husband (actor Alexander Hanson) watch each other’s work?

Yes, we’re each other’s worst critics. We go to see each other’s previews, and then we get home, pour wine, then someone who loves me starts giving me notes on my performance with cutting honesty.

Quite often I have to get up and walk around the kitchen table several times. Then Alex says, "Do you want me to stop?" and I take a sip of wine and tell him to continue. It’s hard, but if he won’t tell me, who will?

You’ve ticked a lot of boxes, but what else is on your bucket list for the future?

I will never, ever talk about that. The moment you put a dream into the universe either someone steals your dream, or someone pops it. I just can’t say that, ever. I’m very superstitious, can you tell?

Samantha Bond stars in Home Fires, which begins tonight, ITV, 9pm.