HIS name is Craig - Daniel Craig. And the Wirral actor is hotly tipped to replace Pierce Brosnan as big screen MI6 super-agent, James Bond.

Studio bosses are so far refusing to be shaken or stirred by national press reports that 37-year-old Daniel, a former Hilbre High School pupil, is in the running to play Ian Fleming's suave, Martini-drinking, womanising, gadget-busting 007.

Daniel should learn whether or not he has been granted his three-film license to kill and thrill when a final decision on who will play the sixth Bond is made this week.

Daniel is pitted against fellow British star Clive Owen but the informed speculation from London to Los Angeles seems to have the Hilbre boy all but signed on the dotted line.

If successful, Daniel will make his debut as the quintessentially British action hero in the 22nd Bond film 'Casino Royale', which begins filming in February and is due for release in November next year.

Born in Chester, Daniel later moved to Frodsham and then Hoylake. He attended Hilbre High School in Newton and, at 16, joined the National Youth Theatre.

He then got a place at the Guildhall School of music and drama in London, where he studied with current 'Star Wars' actor Ewan MacGregor and TV impressionist Alastair McGowan.

Daniel appeared alongside Oscar winner Angelina Jolie in the blockbusting adventure 'Tomb Raider' and in the recent gangster film '4-Layer Cake'.

He was named 'British actor of the Year 2004' by the London film critics' board for his role in the thriller 'Enduring Love'.

But on the James Bond rumours, a spokesman for London-based film company EON productions, responsible for all 21 Bond films, refused to buckle under pressure: "We cannot comment on whether Daniel has got the part of James Bond," she said, "because we have done absolutely no casting, so far."

Since Sean Connery first stepped into Bond's shoes in the 1962 film 'Dr No', the spy has been played by George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and, lately, Pierce Brosnan.

Films in the series include 'From Russia with Love', 'Goldfinger', 'Diamonds are forever', 'Moonraker' and 'Die Another Day.'