I am going to make an effort to see Skyfall on the big screen because James Bond has been a part of my life ever since I can remember.

It was required viewing when I was growing up. Roger Moore was my favourite - we all gasped and laughed along with the bombs, boobs and complicated plots.

I liked looking at the girls, too, - their glamorous outfits and glossy hair enthralled me. Also, I enjoyed their somewhat reckless attitudes to sex.

The gender politics of the 007 films have, of course, long been under scrutiny, and even reached the point where our hero was forced to experiment with making quiche and acting sensitive.

Thankfully, the franchise's producers realised their folly and that was not repeated.

These days, Bond remains an action hero.

But his girl, at least, gets to do something exciting along with him - and the glamorous dress is ripped and bloody within minutes. And, as helpful as a Bond girl may be in a tight spot, it is still a required element that she loses it at a crucial moment.

I have never cared about the gender politics in Bond films. In fact, I have never cared about any of the politics in the 007 films.

For me, the purpose of watching a Bond film is having a little rest from all the serious issues of the day. It's a time when we can all sit down together - man, woman and child - and gasp and laugh along with a rollicking good feature film.

It's a truly Bonding experience. - © The Daily Telegraph