Actress Honor Blackman has hit out at what she called the "ridiculous obsession" with the age of women appearing in James Bond films.
The 90 year old also urged an end to stars being referred to as Bond girls because they are "women and actresses".
She hailed Monica Bellucci's role in the latest film Spectre as "progress" but said it was "crazy" her age had made headlines. At 51, Bellucci has succeeded Blackman as the oldest Bond girl.
Blackman found international stardom as Bond Girl Pussy Galore at 38, alongside Sean Connery, in 1964's Goldfinger.
Writing in the Daily Mirror, she said commentators did "bang on" about her age at the time.
She added: "It's wonderful that one of the leading ladies in the new 007 outing, Spectre, is taking the title from me, even if it did take more than half a century. But I also think it's crazy that 51-year-old Monica Bellucci's age is still causing a similar stir.
"I just don't understand why we are still obsessed with age. Or rather, I don't understand why men are still so obsessed with the age of women. Because that's what we are really talking about. Instead of the ridiculous obsession with age, the only thing to ask is does she fit the bill?"
Suggesting men's looks were not viewed as important as women's in the film industry, Blackman said Daniel Craig, reprising his role as the MI6 spy for the fourth time, was "not the most handsome Bond" but was a "great actor".
She also ruled out a future female Bond, saying: "Having an older Bond girl is a sign of progress too. Though I don't think you could ever have a female 007. That wasn't what Fleming wrote."
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