Ex-Bond girl Caterina Murino thinks she knows why Daniel Craig is quitting as 007

The former Miss Italy worked with the actor on 2006 film Casino Royale

Former Italian Bond girl Caterina Murino may have worked with Daniel Craig a decade ago on Casino Royale, but she believes she knows why the British actor is stepping down as the secret agent.

Murino, who achieved international recognition for her role of Solange Dimitrios in the 2006 critically-acclaimed 007 outing, believes Craig is under too much pressure to be the "perfect" James Bond.

In an interview with the Sunday People, the actor said: “It’s hugely stressful being Bond. There’s a lot of money involved, so that also brought more tension - and a lot of that tension was on Daniel.

“It’s not easy to go back time and time again. It can be tiring to keep trying to find new things in the same role. I can understand why Daniel would not want to return."

Craig reportedly turned down a two-film deal worth £68 million and, despite sources stating Craig is yet to make a decision on his Bond future, recent news renders it less likely; the actor, who is said to have claimed he was 'done' with the role, will star in a 20-part adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's Purity.

Filmmaker Sam Mendes has stepped down as the Bond series' director having steered both Skyfall and Spectre to huge global success.

Reflecting on her time working with Craig, Murino added: “I could tell he had a small amount of doubt about his abilities at the beginning, but he also knew the role would change his life and he would go down in history."

Murino has just been named as the face of a new 007 fragrance for women.