THERE’S been so much talk about DANIEL CRAIG’s replacement as 007 that it feels as though the new Bond flick can’t be too far off.

But I’ve learned that it won’t hit screens until late 2018 at the earliest – because producer BARBARA BROCCOLI is planning to make two other movies first.

10 Bond producer Barbara Broccoli hopes to convince Daniel Craig to return as 007 Credit: Film Company

She is currently in London shooting Film Stars Don’t Die with JAMIE BELL, and a source said: “Barbara is not going to be rushed into a Bond and wants to work on two other film projects next year.

“It will give her time to work out a script and try to convince Daniel to maybe return.”

10 Barbara Broccoli wants to produce two more films before returning to the Bond series Credit: Splash News

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Meanwhile, Ben-Hur star JACK HUSTON is the latest Brit to meet studio execs about the role. Poldark’s AIDAN TURNER, Divergent’s THEO JAMES and Happy Valley’s JAMES NORTON have also auditioned to take over from Craig.

Look like Q has time to prep some gadgets.

One direction... but separate paths

A YEAR ago LOUIS TOMLINSON and LIAM PAYNE were inseparable as part of ONE DIRECTION – but now they are set on very different courses.

While Louis spent the week guest-judging on America’s Got Talent and catching a film with girlfriend DANIELLE CAMPBELL Liam was putting pen to paper on a huge deal with Capitol UK.

10 Liam Payne has taken a different direction signing with Capitol UK while his band mates remain with Sony Credit: Getty Images

And he will head into the studio later this year to work on his debut solo album.

Tweeting a pic of the iconic label Liam revealed yesterday: “Happy to have signed to @CapitolUK. They have an amazing history of artists, I hope I can follow in their footsteps.

“One Direction will always be my home and family but I’m very excited to see what this chapter brings.”

10 Liam tweeted this pic announcing his signing with the record label

The move isn’t good news for 1D fans still hoping for a reunion.

Liam has turned his back on Sony, which gave the band their record deal and released all five of their albums.

Both HARRY STYLES and ZAYN MALIK have stuck to Sony imprints for their solo careers.

10 Louis Tomlinson has been guest-judging on America's Got Talent this week Credit: AKM-GSI-XPOSURE

Meanwhile, between auditions on the US talent show Louis gave a rare insight into his life as dad to seven-month-old son Freddie.

He told fellow judge MEL B: “I didn’t think I’d be having a kid at this age, but it is incredible.”

I suppose being a full-time dad is a valid excuse for not hurrying back into the studio.





A Thirl-wind romance

LITTLE MIX star JADE THIRLWALL first met rocker boyfriend JED ELLIOTT through bandmate JESY NELSON and her RIXTON fiancé JAKE ROCHE – but six months on Jade and Jed are challenging their matchmaking pals for the title of music’s most loved-up couple.

The duo are so smitten, Jade has even taken on the role of alpha groupie to join his band THE STRUTS on their US tour.

But their relationship now faces its toughest test yet.

In his first chat about the romance, bassist Jed – whose band opened for THE ROLLING STONES in 2014 – talked about the prospect of spending six weeks away from his girlfriend.

10 Jade Thirlwall was set up with Jed Elliott by fellow Little Mix band mate Jesy Nelson Credit: XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM

He said: “Jade has been out with us on the bus for the last five days, but we’re about to spend our longest time apart since we’ve been together.

“This is our first test. You will notice the next Little Mix and The Struts albums will be full of tales of long-distance troubles across the ocean, ‘Songs of Lust’.

“I’m touring over here in the US until Christmas, but I’m hoping to book a nice holiday for Jade afterwards – somewhere nice for her birthday on Boxing Day.”

There could even be wedding bells on the cards, just like Jesy and Jake.

Jed said: “It’s early days for a proposal at the moment, but we’ve had the vote of confidence from fans on Instagram.”

The race down the aisle is on . . .





Peek at you, Rita

I HOPE there were no keen Pokemon hunters on the prowl in New York yesterday – as RITA ORA could easily have been mistaken for Pikachu.

Dressed head to toe in yellow she looked the spitting image of the cute character.

10 Gotta Catch 'Em All... Is it Rita Ora or Pikachu? Credit: Rex Features

But one man who had no chance of catching her was LEWIS HAMILTON. The Formula One ace was sunning himself on a yacht with another woman in Saint-Tropez just weeks after enjoying a secret holiday with Rita.

10 Lewis Hamilton posted this yacht pic on Instagram from Saint-Tropez

But not to give her the wrong impression, he confirmed on Instagram that he was with a girl named Sara who is “one of my dearest family friends, for over 10yrs”.

10 Hamilton enjoys some rays just weeks after secret holiday with Rita Ora

I expect Rita was too busy with Poke-Battles to notice.

But not to give her the wrong impression, he confirmed on Instagram that he was with a girl named Sara who is “one of my dearest family friends, for over 10yrs”.

THE first album chart was published exactly 60 years ago today. To celebrate, Official Charts presented SIR PAUL McCARTNEY with its Record Breaker Award as the most successful album artist ever with 22 No1 hits, including 15 with THE BEATLES and one with his wife LINDA.

10 Paul McCartney has been named the most successful album artist ever

Yesterday he said: “It feels unbelievable, because when you write your songs you don’t count how well they’re doing.”

Trust me Paul, they’ve done pretty well.