The Stage reported today that the adaptation of the novel will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 early next year, and is being made by independent production company Jarvis and Ayres, which is owned and run by actors Martin Jarvis and Rosalind Ayres.

It follows a radio adaptation of Dr No that was broadcast last year to celebrate the Ian Fleming centenary, also produced by Jarvis and Ayres. Jarvis said he had initially been given approval from film company EON Productions, which makes the Bond films, to produce Dr No on a “special one-off” basis.

However, he said they had been so impressed with the reworking of Dr No that they approached Jarvis and Ayres to ask them to make another. The adaptation was well reviewed by the press.

He said Goldfinger would be similar in style to Dr No, which featured narrations from a Fleming character, played by Jarvis.

Right: 1st edition Jonathan Cape hardback (UK). Artwork by Richard Chopping.

James Bond's Voice
Actor Toby Stephens (pictured opposite), who played villain Gustav Graves in the 2002 movie "Die Another Day", took the role of James Bond in Dr No radio production, whilst David Suchet voiced the titular Dr No.

Casting is yet to be confirmed for "Goldfinger" but the producers said they were keen to secure Stephens to reprise the role of Bond. EON has casting approval on the radio Bond, and Stephens was their first choice for Dr No.

Radio Repertoire
Radio is a medium that Bond has not been too familiar with, but EON Productions own the rights and granted permission for the Dr No dramatisation in 2007. It was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in the UK on Saturday 24th May 2008.

Back in 1956, Bob Holness starred as 007 in an adaptation of Moonraker for South African radio, and Michael Jayston starred as 007 in a 1990 production of You Only Live Twice for BBC Radio 4.

Stay tuned to MI6 for further coverage of the "Goldfinger" radio production.