THE NAME'S TAYLOR, ROGER TAYLOR

HOW STAR OF WIMBLEDON WAS ALMOST THE NEW BOND

- By Neil McLeman

ROGER TAYLOR nearly became the new James Bond during one Wimbledon.

But the three-time semi-finalist is so shaken and stirred by the “cult” of the All England Club he reckons they are the real-life villains.

The former British No.1 was one of the 'Handsome Eight' who formed the professional Tennis Championships in 1968.

But the Yorkshireman's matinee-idol looks had caught the attention of Hollywood the year before when he played the Queen's Club final.

Now 83, Taylor looks back and thinks "What if?" about his close call before the making of 1969 Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

He said: "I was watching a match in the Wimbledon stand with [first wife] Frances when Noel Berryman, the vice-chairman of Queen's Club, came up to us and sat down.