James Bond star Daniel Craig has hit back at claims that Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge was hired for diversity, saying he requested her involvement because she's a "f**king great writer".

The actor will reprise his role as the British spy for the fifth and final time in No Time To Die, which hits cinema next April.

And, speaking recently, Daniel rubbished any notion that Phoebe was hired only because of her gender, sharing that he requested her personally after dubbing her "one of the best English writers around".

We believe it.

Jeff Kravitz Getty Images

Speaking to The Times about Phoebe's hiring, Craig began by attempting to explain her approach to the franchise.

"She has been asked many times about what she is going to do, and her answer is that we're not really going to change anything," he said.

"He's James Bond. But, of course, it's a different angle to come at..."



But the actor then cut himself off, before adding: "Look, we're having a conversation about Phoebe's gender here, which is f**king ridiculous.

Frederick M. Brown Getty Images

Related: Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge slams "bollocks" claims James Bond isn't relevant anymore

"She's a great writer. Why shouldn't we get Phoebe onto Bond? That's the answer to that. I know where you're going, but I don't actually want to have that conversation."

He added: "I know what you're trying to do, but it's wrong. It's absolutely wrong. She's a f**king great writer. One of the best English writers around. I said, 'Can we get her on the film?' That's where I came from."

Columbia Pictures

Daniel's comments follow the release of a new teaser photo of Daniel Craig as 007 in No Time To Die which was shared on the film's official Twitter account over the weekend.

Speaking earlier this year about her plans for the No Time To Die script, PWB pledged to make the female characters more like real actual human beings — and, we've got to say, we're a fan.

James Bond's 25th movie No Time to Die has a UK release date of April 3, 2020, and opens in the US on April 8, 2020.

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