Aside from spending a lot of her time involved in TV's Masters Of Combat and the Sci-Fi channel's Sci-Fright, Rachel Grant has managed to fit in being a Miss Philippines, a martial artist, a body double for Angelina Jolie and one of the Bond girls in Die Another Day. We caught up with her to have a quick chat about being so popular.

Lets’s start with Bond. How did you swing that?
I had an audition in February to play a character called Peaceful. They wanted a Chinese looking lady for a scene in Hong Kong. I thought I had no chance of getting the part because I'm not Chinese, I'm half Philippino.

I thought it was an opportunity to get seen by the casting director, I'm a martial artist by the way, so I brought along my nunchukas; which I'm absolutely amazing with I have to say. I said you've never seen these in a Bond film before! At first they weren't too keen, but afterwards they gave my agent a ring and said they really wanted me and I was on set within a week.

Is the making of the film as glamorous as the result?
I wasn't in Hong Kong, it wasn't a glamorous location, I was actually at the 007 stage in Pinewood. I've never been to Hong Kong. I'd love to go though.

Will you be trying for the next one?
I don't really know. I definitely got the job because I could use the weapons I brought along. I suppose if I get the chance again.

You say Star Wars is one of your favourite films.
Yes! I loved it as a child! I don't like the new stuff as much - although it's nice to watch. It's not the same thing.

It's obvious you've applied a lot of thought to the details of those weapons…
I actually thought when I first started using them that I got the idea from Darth Maul - it would be really cool, they'd have to be quite short but you could get four blades and a lady could use them. It's a really good idea actually.

I think you're right; I'd love to see that.
Well, next time I see George Lucas I'll mention the idea.

The other thing you've said about Star Wars is that you find Darth Vader sexy.
Yeah. I think it's the whole breathing thing. I was a bit disappointed when he took his helmet off.

I think we all were!
I was really disappointed when he dies too.

Yes, but the breathing is far more bronchial than sexy wouldn't you say?
It was just the whole thing about him being masked. Sounds a bit kinky doesn't it? I remember really liking the whole idea of this dark, black, cloaked, helmeted thing… and all that power…

Ok… Moving on, I've read that you were thinking about getting a tattoo on the underside of your foot.
I did enquire but apparently it's almost impossible to have done.

Why is that? Aside from the fact that it would be excruciatingly painful.
Yeah, that's right. The thing is, with what I do - being a body double and stuff - having tattoos on your body can be quite problematic for certain jobs and make up over the top doesn't really mask them. I've always wanted one though, so I thought they would be good especially with the martial arts thing, if I ever kicked anyone the last thing they'd see would be this tattoo of a phoenix coming right at them!

Nice!
Apparently the skin underneath the foot is so thick that the needles would have to go exceedingly deep and even then it might not work. Then I wouldn't be able to put pressure on that foot for at least two weeks and if I did the colour would probably bleed into the skin ruining the design so I don't know if it's worth the risk.

You're related to royalty aren't you?
That's right, the Bowes-Lyons.

Ah, the Queen Mum's family.
That's right, so I don't really have blue blood - my grandfather, him and the Queen are second cousins. He was born in Glamis castle.

Now for some ruthless plugging - what have you got coming up then?
I've just been cast in a new ITV show called Blue Murder starring Caroline Quentin, it's replacing Inspector Morse - hopefully it'll be as big! It's shooting at Christmas and airing in February. I'm one of six detectives trying to solve a murder, I don't have a huge part but it's not too bad. I'm really chuffed! It's serious drama for once, not just standing there and ...

Looking pretty?
Trying to look pretty.

Succeeding mostly! Anyway, one final question about your 8 A's at GCSE…
I put that on my CV, I had to because so many people thought I was so thick - not that I'm that smart, but one of the first auditions I walked into the casting director asked me if I could read. Just because I was dolled up. It was really quite insulting and it put me off, so I started putting it down.

Is there anything you can't turn your hand to because what you’ve told us reads like the CV for the ultimate bloke’s woman.
Really? I like to do everything. You've made me feel really proud! That's good though, I need a bit of self-esteem! Anything I can't do? I like to think I can do most things - not very well but moderately well. I took up horse-riding last year so I'm not that good at it yet.

I'm sure you will be!
Cheers!