COLIN SALMON - BOND RACE ROW

Superspy wannabe COLIN SALMON has accused JAMES BOND bosses of snubbing him for the role of 007 because he is black. The actor, who appeared in DIE ANOTHER DAY as spy CHARLES ROBINSON, was hotly tipped to replace PIERCE BROSNAN as the famous British agent. Brosnan even recommended Salmon to take his place - but he was pipped to post by DANIEL CRAIG. Now the 44 year old claims producers chose Craig because they feared film fans would reject a black Bond. He says, "It's a shame I didn't get the part. But there will never be a black Bond. God, they can't even have a blond Bond without everyone going crazy." Salmon won't even get the chance to reprise his role as Robinson in CASINO ROYALE, and he is bitter former co-star DAME JUDI DENCH got to keep her part playing MI6 boss M. He says, "It makes no sense. They've got rid of Q, MISS MONEYPENNY yet they keep Dench in it. It's confusing." However, a spokeswoman for Bond production company EON denies racism: "I think it's a rather below the belt allegation and I can't believe Colin has suggested it. "Since it wasn't impossible for there to be a blond Bond, then it's not impossible for there to be a black Bond." Casino Royale is released in cinemas later this year (06).