Skyfall director Sam Mendes says he had doubts about actor Daniel Craig being cast as James Bond.

“I was one of the people who said I didn’t think he was the right casting,” he said at a press conference beamed live from the set of the 23rd Bond movie at Pinewood Studios.

“At the time, I was asked in an interview and I said, ‘I’m not sure, I would advise him not to do it’.”

But Mr Mendes, who 10 years ago directed Mr Craig on Road To Perdition, admitted he was wrong.

“I watched him go through that intense pressure and come through it with flying colours. I bumped into him after Casino Royale and I was so excited to see him as Bond. It was great to watch him prove the doubters wrong.”

Bond girls Naomi Harris and Berenice Marlohe were also present.

Ms Harris revealed she has seen Mr Craig “partially naked” but that she keeps her clothes on throughout the film. “I don’t reveal anything physically,” she said.

Ms Harris added that the set at Pinewood was one of the most relaxed she had ever worked on, thanks to Mr Mendes and Mr Craig.

She said: “I was really intimidated for a long time when I found I was going to be in a Bond movie, it was much more terrifying. But I was incredibly surprised.

“Sam is such an incredible director. He engineers it in a way that makes you feel so taken care of. It feels like you’re making a small independent film.”

Mr Craig said working with Mr Mendes for the second time − and the first on a Bond film − had helped him deal with the pressures of the role.

“I have got an awful lot to worry about when making a movie like this – it’s another level making a Bond movie.

“Sam has allowed me to forget about that and concentrate on the job. I have been able to remember why I love it so much.”