STUNT pilot Pete Barnes is to miss the star-studded premiere of the latest James Bond movie - because he is working for the Great North Air Ambulance charity.
Londoner Mr Barnes played the part of a Cuban air ambulance pilot called Lopez in the blockbuster Die Another Day.
The 39-year-old pilot was due to rub shoulders with the stars at the premiere in London's Leicester Square on Monday night.
But he will probably have to work from Saturday to Tuesday for the Darlington-based air ambulance charity, which is one of his contracts.
Mr Barnes said: "As much as I would love to go, I never break a contract for anyone and I'm committed to flying for the air ambulance."
It is not the first time he has sacrificed film roles for duties as one of the charity's pilots.
He had to forego several scenes in the film Tomb Raider II, featuring American star Angelina Jolie, because producers switched their filming dates and it clashed with his air ambulance work. But he was still needed for Tomb Raider work on location in Hertfordshire.
Mr Barnes' other credits include Saving Private Ryan and the Heinz ketchup advert. His company, Helivision, also carries out VIP work and he has flown celebrities from Ronan Keating to Tom Cruise.
He said: "Dates will change in the film industry but I'll always be committed to my contract work."
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