The original 3.7
Part Two
While promoting the musical A Night On The Town the reviewers spoke of Lewis as the next Bond and a TV times profile in the early 80's began with the quote that Lewis hoped to be named anyday soon as the new James Bond. After Moore's retirement in 1985 the Daily Mirror asked model Linda Lusardi to cast her eye over all the potential Bonds and she concluded that Collins was the only serious contender although some unknown Irishman called Pierce something or other might have a slim chance. Lewis' fans were to be found in high places. One of the heirs to the throne was publicly reprimanded after using satellite communications aboard his Royal Navy vessel to telephone an equerry to inquire who was the next Bond. Upon being told that it was almost certainly Lewis the future Monarch replied "Oh God! They get rougher and rougher don't they" before suggesting that Professionals co-star Gordon Jackson would make a much better Bond.
Roger Moore spoke of Lewis in glowing terms although he hoped his friend somebody Brosnan would get it. How we laughed! How could this unknown Irishman hope to take Lew's role. Eon were aware of the skill and talent that The Professionals cast and crew had to offer and used them constantly. So what went wrong? Well it seems unlikely anyone will ever know for sure. The reasons that Lewis didn't get the role have been discussed elsewhere. Be they accurate or not there is nothing to be gained by repeating them here. That seemed to be the end of the connection - until in 1994 Timothy Dalton relinquished the role of Bond (much to the dissappointment of the fans). Now of course Pierce Brosnan was the frontrunner for the role. Then something weird happened. It wasn't X-Files weird or worthy of a mention in Fortean Times. In fact the few people who did notice it dismissed it as a hoax.