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James Bond has 'chronic alcohol problem' study finds

Over the decades, James Bond has survived countless near-death experiences as he rid the world of its most unsavoury characters for Queen and Country.

He managed all that thanks to his licence to kill, unlikely gadgets, a trusty Aston Martin, endless supplies of swag and his, by now iconic, dry martini (shaken, not stirred).

But the most famous of British secret agent has one deadly foe he can't seem to shake: alcohol.

A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that 007 has "a severe chronic alcohol problem."

"He should consider seeking professional help and find other strategies for managing on-the-job stress," it concluded.

The study's authors watched 24 James Bond movies released between 1962 and 2015 and found that the world's most famous spy drank 109 times or an average of 4.5 times per movie.

One of his biggest binges was in "Quantum of Solace" when he consumed at least six Vespers in quick succession.

As the cocktail is made up of gin, vodka and Lillet (a dry vermouth), Bond is believed to have drunk 24 units of alcohol "leading to an estimated blood alcohol level of 0.36 g/DL, well into the range that can be fatal," according to the study.