No Time to Die: Remembering Newport's Desmond Llewellyn

So we decided to look back at Newport's link with the popular series of films.

The city had a strong representation in the series, with Q actor Desmond Llewellyn - who was born in the then-town in 1914 -  appearing in no fewer than 17 Bond films.

Mr Llewellyn first appeared as 007's favourite - and sometimes least favourite - gadgets master in Sean Connery's second outing as the super-spy, 1963's From Russia With Love.

He went on to appear in every single Bond film except 1973's Live and Let Die - the first to feature Roger Moore - before gracefully bowing out in 1999's The World is Not Enough, which was released one month before his death in December of that year.

Twenty years ago Newport woman Emma Kenney wanted the city to honour its famous son.

She launched a campaign for a memorial to the famous actor and in April 2001 a plaque was unveiled at the Newport house where he was born, Blaen y Pant House, in Malpas.

Among those watching the unveiling ceremony were Ms Kenney, Mr Llewelyn's family and Barbara Broccoli, daughter of the man who started the Bond film phenomenon, Cubby Broccoli.

Ms Broccoli, who was producer of Die Another Day which was being filmed at the time, invited Ms Kenney to watch filming, so she went to Pinewood Studios with her father, Kenneth Richards for the exclusive, behind-the-scenes treat.

Ms Kenney, a 33-year-old Bond fan, of Winchester Close, Newport, said at the time: "An action sequence is being filmed - they wanted me to go on an interesting day. It's thrilling!"

She was looking forward to meeting Pierce Brosnan, who was appearing as 007 for the final time before Daniel Craig took over the role.

She said: "I'm hoping to give him a present of Welsh whisky. He was very helpful with the campaign, as was Roger Moore. He went out of his way to help. I want to thank him for all his support and he spoke very highly of Desmond."

Mr Llewellyn died following a car crash on December 19, 1999. He was 85.