Wednesday, 15 November 2006

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Daniel Craig gets the girl

New 007 shows off his American producer girlfriend

New James Bond star Daniel Craig showed off his American girlfriend to the world Tuesday night as they walked the red carpet for the premiere of Casino Royale in London.

The British actor, dressed in a tuxedo, was the perfect gentleman holding hands and escorting Satsuki Mitchell, a film producer, as he signed autographs and posed for photos with fans. Later, at the official launch party, he was spotted kissing her.

When Craig was asked who would be his ideal Bond girl, he simply pointed to Mitchell by his side and said: "This one here."

But he was notably casual about being labeled the sexiest Bond ever. "I don't think about it," Craig said. "I don't give it much thought."

His costars and colleagues, however, gave it plenty of thought – especially Bond producer Barbara Broccoli who told PEOPLE: "He's a perfectionist, he's a brilliant actor, and he's a wonderful human being. And he's got a great bod!"

Current Bond girl, Caterina Murino, said of all the Bond men, "he is the sexy one, I'm sure." Meanwhile, Dame Judi Dench wouldn't comment on Craig's attributes, laughing: "I'm old enough to be his grandmother!" However she did add: "He was divine to work with."

Elton John, Sharon Osbourne and Paris Hilton all attended the premiere, as well as guest of honor Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who shook hands and spoke with all of the stars before the film.

At the after-party, in the famous Berkeley Square, Craig continued to sign autographs, leaning out of the VIP section to pose for photos – mostly with female fans. But the heartthrob seemed to only have eyes for Mitchell, who he has been dating for over a year – though Tuesday was the first time she'd been introduced to so many fans and the media.

When leaving the party the 007 actor took a moment to prepare for the waiting paparazzi, and in a tender moment, pulled Mitchell to him and planted a huge kiss on her lips. True confirmation that Bond always gets his girl.