Ilford M&S 007 fan impresses at Spectre premiere
Luke Arnold (right) with other James Bon fans - Credit: Archant
The new James Bond film opened in cinemas on Monday and one excited ex-department store manager was lucky enough to be at the star-studded premiere.
Luke Arnold, who used to work at Ilford’s M&S, joined the red carpet crowds at the Royal Albert Hall as the lid was finally lifted on Spectre.
After an evening rubbing shoulders with the 007 glitterati, the 31-year-old – who has been to every Bond premier since Die Another Day – headed down to Leicester Square for a special midnight screening.
Although he didn’t get home until 4.30am on Tuesday morning, Luke insisted it was well worth staying up for.
“It was absolutely amazing, by far the best Bond film,” he said.
“Daniel Craig has now confirmed himself as the best Bond ever with this.
“It had some of the humour and the gadgets back – it had everything.”
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The Bond superfan boasts a £10,000 memorabilia collection and even bought a special SIM card from eBay to have 007 as the last three digits of his phone number.
Looking very much the part with a white tuxedo and red rose, Luke was totally in his element.
“I got to see Barbara Broccoli, Ralph Fiennes and Daniel Craig,” he added.
“Barbara Broccoli and Naomie Harris both commented on my tux as well.
“I was one of the only people wearing a white tux, which was pretty cool.”
But for Luke, who lives in Brentwood, the world of watching Bond is not enough, and he is also portraying 007 in his own movie Forgotten Past, complete with Walther PPKs, a Thames boat chase and action from the Emirates cable cars.
And after watching the new film for a second time with his mum and sister the next day, it looks like the next Bond adventure will star the man himself.
“A lot of people recognised me from the Forgotten Past trailer, which was strange” he explained.
“People kept saying, ‘Now Spectre’s out, you’re next’ so I better crack on with it.”
Visit facebook.com/forgottenpast007 for more information.