Dame Judi Dench is speaking out in defense of new James Bond Daniel Craig - branding his critics "despicable."
The actress, who reprises her role as spy boss M for a fifth time in new movie 'Casino Royale', has lashed out at the actor's detractors insisting he will make a fantastic 007.
Some fans of the franchise have started an online petition - www.craignotbond.com - to try and get movie bosses to ditch the blond 'Layer Cake' star and bring back the axed Pierce Brosnan.
Dench claims the vicious website, which branded Craig "ugly", had left the star "devastated" and insists he has the all the makings of a great Bond.
She is quoted in Britain's The Sun newspaper as saying: "I hate the way people have been attacking Daniel Craig."
"It's despicable and it disgusts me. I have filmed with him in Prague and the Bahamas and he is a fine actor. He brings something new and edgy to the role. His critics will be proved wrong."
Since shooting started on the new movie, Craig has suffered a series of setbacks and mishaps, including a case of sunburn, losing two teeth while filming a fight scene and having to confess to bosses he couldn't drive the spy's classic Aston Martin DB5 car.
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