Bond star Brosnan hurt while filming 007 stunt

Brosnan was filming a scene for the movie on a beach in Cornwall when he collapsed in agony during one of his stunts.

The Irish actor, 48, was treated by medical staff on the set, but found it too painful to carry on filming.

He has now been flown to Los Angeles by the makers of the film, EON Productions, where he is expected to receive specialist treatment to damaged ligaments.

A statement released by EON said: "Since assuming the role of James Bond, Pierce Brosnan has always pursued the character with extreme physicality.

"On Friday, Brosnan sustained a knee injury during an action sequence involving water. He immediately met with doctors who recommended he have surgery to prevent any further damage."

The statement said Brosnan was expected to return to the set on 4 March, but his injury will not delay the release date of the film, which is scheduled for November this year.

Filming of the latest Bond movie started at Pinewood Studios last month. It is the 20th in the series and Brosnan’s fourth in the role of the invincible British secret agent.

So far, the film has not been given an official title and is referred to only as Bond 20. Halle Berry stars as the lead Bond girl and Madonna will sing the theme tune.

The stunt in which he was injured features in the opening sequence of the film, which is set in North Korea.

Details of Brosnan’s accident came on the day a collection of boats from the previous 19 Bond films went on show in a major show.

The James Bond Boat Exhibition at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire, features the Q Road Boat from The World Is Not Enough and the Bath-O-Sub from Diamonds Are Forever among its exhibits.

The exhibits have been loaned to the museum by the Ian Fleming Foundation.