In the week of the latest long-awaited James Bond film's release, it's been revealed that Sidmouth has its own 007.

Model Ed Akay, who lives in Sidmouth, has posed for two overseas online magazines as James Bond – one in a feature called '007 Gets Married' with his real-life wife Helen as the bride, in the French high end fashion magazine Moevir.

He also recreated the look for a Mexican magazine, Male Fashion Trends, modelling designer menswear in James Bond style.

In both cases the photographer was Scott Williams.

Ed told Sidmouth Nub News he is a James Bond fan: "I enjoyed the films a lot,especially during the Dalton and Brosnan era!

"My favourite actually is 'Licence to Kill' as it has an edge to it.

"I loved putting my own slant on it."

He also revealed that the gun he's wielding in the 'marriage' shots is a toy and he doesn't really have a licence to kill: "I'll leave that to Timothy Dalton!"

Ed's return to the modelling scene

Ed's appearances as James Bond came after a year during which he worked hard to regain the physique he had when modelling in his 20s, while also raising money for charity. Last year he spent three months training with Yorkshire-based competition bodybuilder Matthew White, and by the end of the year he had transformed his body and was back on the modelling scene, as reported by Sidmouth Nub News here.

He said his modelling career has 'exploded' during 2021, and he's appeared in several international publications including appearing three front covers, as well as the features published to coincide with the new Bond Film 'No Time To Die'.

To celebrate the first anniversary of Ed's inspiring journey, photographer Chris Woodman, who shot Ed's first ever front cover, teamed up with Results Focused Fitness to do a gym shoot to celebrate their continuing success, which will be featured in fitness publications this year.

'With the right mindset you can achieve anything'

Ed said: "This has been one of the most rewarding times of my life, it just shows when you have the right mindset you can achieve anything."

Matthew White Ed's coach said: "Togetherness creates success and it's great to see Ed excelling in the work we have done. Sometimes when one brings the tools and knowledge and the other brings great work ethic and sheer determination magical things happen."

Photographer Chris Woodman said: "Since Spring 2021 myself and Ed have had around 20 publications together and counting.

"We've formed a dream team of a photographer and model whose work ethic and dedicated to our craft is formidable. The diversity of shots is quite something from fitness to suits to streetwear! Long may this continue!"