The British star, Daniel Craig, has capped the launch week of his final James Bond movie by becoming the 2,704th celebrity to be honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in California.

It was unveiled outside 7007 Hollywood Boulevard, in honour of the fictional British spy’s code number. Just yards away is the star of his predecessor as Bond, Sir Roger Moore.

Craig, who has played 007 since 2006, said it was an “absolute honour to be walked all over in Hollywood”.

The 53-year-old was introduced by Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, along with his co-star in the latest 007 outing, No Time To Die, Rami Malek.

Before his star was unveiled, Craig said: “To Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, I thank you from the depth of my heart, without you I would not be here today – thank you for those lovely words. Thank you to Rami for those beautiful, beautiful words. I never thought I would hear myself say this, but it’s an absolute honour to be walked all over in Hollywood.”

No Time To Die won critical praise and earned the highest opening weekend takings of any Bond movie in the UK — after repeated delays to its release date because of the coronavirus pandemic. The film opens in the US on Friday.

Craig said: “If happiness was measured by the company we keep, then me being on this pavement surrounded by all of these legends makes me a very, very, very happy man. So thank you very much.”

Malek, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Queen Singer Freddy Mercury in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, plays supervillain Safin in the latest instalment of Bond’s adventures. Speaking at the ceremony, he praised Craig as an actor and a colleague.

“We all know he’s a superb actor, he’s dedicated, he can handle all his own stunts with one hand tied behind his back and the other holding a Negroni,” Malek said.