Nottingham Bond girl awaits Quantum of Solace

Now based in LA, the 31-year-old actress is looking forward to seeing how fellow Brit Gemma Arterton and Ukrainian Olga Kurylenko fare as the newest members of a privileged circle. .

"As a Bond girl you become a member of the most exclusive, elite ladies' club ever. Plus we have no membership fees or renewal costs – the best things in life are free," said Rachel, who went to Hollygirt School and studied at The Morrison School of Dance in Nottingham before her career took her to the States.

"Gemma and Olga seem very lovely from the previews I've seen, and it would be nice to meet them personally some time and welcome them to the world of Bond.

"I saw Daniel Craig's debut as Bond at the Casino Royale premiere in Leeds three years ago. It was very different and not as traditional as Pierce's Bond, but I enjoyed it. The previous incarnations have been very cool, unflustered, and had a comedic charm. Roger Moore never had a hair out of place and Pierce could say the cheesiest line and get away with it.

"Daniel Craig gets bruised, bloodied and worn constantly, and his charm is chilling.

"I think it's a clever move to take Bond forward in the ever-expanding action movie market."

As you would expect, Brosnan has a special place in Rachel's heart as 007.

"Pierce was very warm and welcoming on-set, we chatted a lot, " she said.

Quantum of Solace premieres in London on October 29, but Rachel will have to wait because it does not open in America until November 14.

"It's been over a year since I've been back to Nottingham, which is the longest period I've ever been away," said Rachel, whose mother Isabel Grant still lives in Sherwood and whose father, Dr Michael Grant, lives in Mapperley. "But I'm delighted I'll be spending Christmas in Nottingham this year and I can't wait.

To my friends there I'm just Rachel. There's no fuss. It's a getaway for me, where I can just eat fish and chips and mushy peas."

Not that Rachel is regretting her decision to work in Tinsel Town; she has enjoyed several film roles and most recently completed The Tournament, a film about a group of assassins starring Robert Carlyle which is due for imminent release.

"Being a Bond girl was a truly amazing experience. The first premiere was attended by the Queen. I've been invited to all sorts of exciting events as a result, including a luxury hotel opening in Mauritius, and I also opened the Acapulco Film Festival this year.

"I've learnt from the other Bond girl that all this never stops."