Licence to Queer's David Lowbridge-Ellis joins the James Bond Cocktail Hour podcast to discuss what could have been Timothy Dalton's film as 007. On the basis of this script, it could have had a drastically different tone!

Boys with toys! Although he’s been made into a doll repeatedly, James Bond is more than a mere action figure. Patriarchy can be harmful to men as well as women and Bond has helped many boys navigate a society where being on the receiving end of violence or dealing it out oneself is often seen a rite of passage. Having had his own childhood memories triggered by watching - of all things - the Barbie movie, Craig Gent explores what else Bond can teach us about being a man in the real world.

Benson’s Bond books updated 007’s world for their period and were even ahead of their time in key ways. On the eve of the re-release of Zero Minus Ten, Raymond and I chat in detail about not just Bond but also other mutual passions, including Hitchcock, Hong Kong cinema and listening to The Beatles without earmuffs.

SPECTRE may have stolen two nuclear bombs but stealing their thunder (and the audience’s attention) is Bond being roughly manhandled (and womanhandled) up and down the gender spectrum. Gender is more fluid than ever in this most aquatic of adventures and the 'fairer sex', sick of having less, are giving at least as good as they get.

Paul Baker is the author of the bestselling book 'CAMP! The Story of the Attitude that Conquered the World'. Not only is it fabulously funny but it also successfully captures what camp is all about (not a mean feat!) using plenty o’ examples. There's only one problem: there's no way Paul could include everyone's favourite examples and one of the most camp things of all time - James Bond - didn't make it into the book. David and Paul meet to put Bond under the camp spotlight.

The Spy Who Loved Me is one of the most balanced Bond films, with a finely calibrated blend of all we love about Bond. But the film we ended up with went through dozens of iterations, many containing thoroughly unhinged ideas. Tom Mason and David Lowbridge-Ellis have read every screen treatment and script they can get their hands on - two years' worth! - and are now ready to share what they've found. Batten down the hatches for seal sex, crash zooms, a villain called Kronk, Anya's brother-lover, testicular torture and a very temperamental Lotus Esprit…

Kim Sherwood’s novel promised to blow the world of Bond wide open and it more than delivered. Here’s where you can find Licence to Queer’s extensive coverage all in one place, including our review, a detailed discussion with Kim herself, an article about the book’s queer representation, a cocktail recipe and more.

There’s no such thing as a quiet month when you’re a James Bond fan. And July was certainly no exception.

Kim Sherwood and David Lowbridge-Ellis talk with a live audience about all things travel and 007. How much is travel is responsible for the success of the books and films? Why do we have the urge to make pilgrimages to Bond locations? What can we learn from Bond about how to travel (and how not to)?

On the drive back from seeing the latest Mission: Impossible in the cinema (not handcuffed together), Antony and David try to not fall out with each other while discussing whether it's helpful (or not) to make comparisons with James Bond. They also talk about the queer elements, the Hitchcock influences and the really really cool bit where *spoilers*.

This month was a busy one! Highlights included plenty of Prides, On The Tracks at the Nene Valley Railway, a visit to Ian Fleming Publications and David receiving an MBE in King Charles's Birthday Honours. Talk about keeping the British end up!