MI6 hiring 1,000 new staff but the greatest spy character in fiction, James Bond, would never get a job in the real-life MI6

The greatest spy character in fiction, James Bond, would never get a job in the real-life MI6, the head of the ultra-secretive agency said.


Alex Younger is real life´s M
Photo: (AOP)

Alex Younger, the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, admitted 007’s life of hand-to-hand combat and serial romances with the world’s most beautiful women was perhaps not quite as realistic as some may hope to believe.

Ian Fleming’s rash and rebellious character would be rejected by today’s intelligence service, said Mr Younger.

Roger Moore as James Bond and Gloria Hendry as Rosie Carver
in "Live and Let Die" (1973)
Photo: Publicity Picture

‘In contrast to James Bond, MI6 officers are not for taking moral shortcuts,’ the head of MI6 said.

‘In fact, a strong ethical core is one of the first qualities we look for in our staff.

‘It’s safe to say that James Bond wouldn’t get through our recruitment process and, whilst we share his qualities of patriotism, energy and tenacity, an intelligence officer in the real MI6 has a high degree of emotional intelligence, values teamwork and always has respect for the law - unlike Mr Bond.’

Daniel Craig as James Bond in "Skyfall" (2012)
Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Speaking in a rare question and answer session Mr Younger, traditionally known as ‘C’ within MI6 circles, added: ‘We know that if we undermine British values, even in the name of defending them, then we have failed.

Sean Connery as James Bond and Kim Basinger as Domino Petachi in
"Never Say Never Again" (1983)
Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Pierce Brosnan as James Bond
Photo:  © Getty Images

‘Our staff are not from another planet. ‘They are ordinary men and women operating in the face of complex moral, ethical and physical challenges, often in the most forbidding environments on earth.’

Although the Secret Intelligence Service is necessarily mysterious the stereotypical qualities many assume will be necessary for a career in spying ‘couldn’t be further from the truth’, Mr Younger said.

He told the Black History Month website: ‘My ultimate goal is for more people to consider a career in MI6 and to get rid of the myth that it’s all about having studied at Oxford or Cambridge or having advanced hand-to-hand combat skills,’ he added.

‘That stereotype really couldn’t be further from the truth.

‘What is true is that our work at MI6 is exciting, intellectually challenging and it matters. We are Britain’s secret frontline, operating upstream in the shadows to keep our friends, families and fellow countrymen and women safe.’

Ralph Fiennes (Skyfall, 2012, SPECTRE, 2015) is M,
who is the Head of the Secret Intelligence Service.
Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

The Secret Service boss is now on a drive to try and get more people to sign up and Mr Younger urged the ‘best of Britain’ to apply for a job. 

Apply for a job here

MI6 Headquarters
Photo: © 007 Travelers

Sources: Daily Mail & Black History Month website 


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Bond girl: Domino Petachi

Photo © EON, United Artists, Danjaq LLC

Bond girl: Domino Petachi
007 Film: Never Say Never Again (1983)
Actress: Kim Basinger

Bond connection: Maximilian Largo is Domino Petachi's "guardian," it is well known that she and Largo are long term lovers. She meets Bond at a spa in Monte Carlo, where he poses as a masseur and massages her. This gives her immense pleasure, though she later realizes he is not who he appears to be. She encounters him again at a casino where Bond introduces himself to her. They have drinks together before being interrupted by Largo. The two dance briefly, where Bond informs her about the death of her brother Jack. Bond is then invited to Largo's yacht, where Largo spies on them kissing in her cabin. He leaves Bond manacled near Palmyra, while Domino is auctioned off as a slave to some unsavory Arabs. Bond eventually escapes and rescues her. They are then chased by the Arabs on horseback until the horse jumps off a cliff into the ocean. They are rescued from the water by Felix Leiter and a team from MI6. After their rescue, Domino and Bond track Largo to a location known as "The Tears of Allah". The two take a shower together, and Bond kisses her before heading off to stop Largo. The circumstances of her spearing Largo as he and Bond fight are altered from the original film – it here takes place underwater, with all the characters in scuba gear. The film ends with Bond indicating his intention to retire from MI6 and settle down with Domino.

See more BOND GIRLS AND OTHER LADIES IN 007 FILMS here