Former James Bond star Roger Moore insists it doesn't take a "good actor" to play the world's most famous secret agent.

Moore--who played the suave superspy in the early 1980s--insists criticism of the decision to cast Daniel Craig as 007 was harsh, because the role doesn't require much talent.

He says, "I am a great defender of Daniel Craig. He's a good actor. People have been so beastly; he's not even had a chance.

"Not that you have to be a good actor... you just have to be able to say, 'My name's Bond, James Bond.'

But despite offering his support to Craig, the 79-year-old actor isn't looking forward to Casino Royale's cinema release later this month.

He says, "The other thing that happens when a new Bond film opens is that I get bad reviews.

"The critics say, 'Thank God, he--whoever he is--wasn't like Roger Moore.'"