James Bond star Pierce Brosnan was described as a “real trooper” as he received a soaking while shooting a film in Cambridge about a sexaholic professor.
The 007 actor was outside Clare College yesterday being filmed riding a Triumph Bonneville motorbike – but admitted his riding skills were not up to scratch. And he must have been hoping he’ll be dry another day as downpours lashed the city.
Playing a Cambridge University professor for new film How To Make Love Like An Englishman, Brosnan proved he still has a licence to thrill by happily posing for pictures with fans. But he suggested his 007 action man days might be behind him, joking “The way I ride I’ll be walking out of here” as he struggled to balance on the bike.
As the rain continued in an overcast Cambridge, the star was asked what he thought of the city.
He said: “It’s grand. But these gloves aren’t much good.”
Speaking exclusively to the News at the film’s location, producer Richard Lewis, whose previous credits include Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Backdraft, said Mr Brosnan loved Cambridge.
He said: “We wanted the weather like this. It’s perfect. Pierce is loving it here in Cambridge. It is beautiful.
“He is a real trooper. In this scene he is driving out of Cambridge and going to London before heading off to sunny California. We wanted it overcast and gloomy.”
Staff at Clare College poured out of offices to be photographed with the actor and some fans have been “desperately trying to get a hug” from the actor.
Tom Vaughan’s movie also stars Jessica Alba, Salma Hayek and Kristin Scott Thomas. Brosnan’s character is a professor who is forced to re-evaluate his life when a girlfriend, played by Alba, falls pregnant with his baby.
Sarah Leanord, 40, of Melbourn, tracked down the actor in Clare College and he agreed to pose with her for a photograph.
She said: “We looked around for him and then saw him walking towards us. He was so polite and charming. You know that you think when you meet these stars they’ll be right idiots but he was just wonderful and very kindly allowed us to take a photo with him.
“We had a chat and I said sorry about the weather and he said that was fine. I was a bit hyper when I got home and had to ring my mum. It has made my 40th year memorable.”
And the Irish actor dined out in Midsummer House restaurant on Midsummer Common on Wednesday.
Chef Daniel Clifford tweeted: “Got 007 in for dinner but which one is it. I’ll tell you all in a couple of hours got to cook his dinner now.”
Later he wrote: “It was Pierce Brosnan what a cool guy.”
And ‘Brig Brother’ tweeted: “Today’s exciting news is that Pierce Brosnan is in the college over the road. Colleagues are desperately trying to go over there for a hug.”
One fan, who was photographed with Mr Brosnan, said: “He is so hot!”