THE world is on tenterhooks – today cinemas around the country are preparing themselves for the opening tomorrow of the most eagerly anticipated movie of the year.

Skyfall sees the return of James Bond after a four year break, and anticipation has reached fever pitch.

But, of course, the film isn’t Bond’s first appearance this year. Before risking life and limb in exotic locations around the world (and Scotland) in the new film, 007 had important duties to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Who could forget MI6’s finest hooking up with his latest Bond girl – Queen Elizabeth II – and leaping out of a plane over the Olympic Stadium?

It was a wonderfully spectacular and audacious stunt that helped make the opening ceremony so memorable.

It was also great publicity for the new film, released in the 50th anniversary year of the first James Bond film, Dr No. And yet it so nearly didn’t happen.

Work on Skyfall got under way almost as soon the previous Bond film, Quantum Of Solace, wrapped.

But despite saving the world several times, it seems not even 007 could evade the clutches of the recession.

The financial difficulties Hollywood studio MGM found itself in in 2010 meant that production on Skyfall was suspended, and for a while the world contemplated the unthinkable – the end of James Bond.

Thankfully, MGM just managed to avoid bankruptcy and Skyfall was back on. Pre-production resumed early in 2011 and filming got under way at the end of last year.

Huge sighs of relief all round. The dosh – $150m of it – was in place, and Daniel Craig was ready to come to his country’s aid once more, in Skyfall and at the Olympic Games.

- Compiled by STEPHEN WEBB