Noting that Sunday was April 1st, we had to treat odder news stories with some caution. But it really does look as if James Bond is set to open the Olympics.

Danny Boyle, who is directing the London event, is putting together a short film in which Daniel Craig, playing the secret agent, travels to Buckingham Palace to be informed that his latest mission is to launch the games. The short film will be shown during the BBC’s coverage.

A source commented:

“It’s a huge coup for BBC producers and Danny to be allowed into the palace and have the Queen involved. They wanted the most iconic British film character inside the building most associated with London and with the monarch – and they got it.” Actually, it doesn’t sound all that classy.