Poll In the 50 years since Her Majesty's Secret Service first let 007 loose on the silver screen, James Bond has faced some truly fearsome adversaries.

Menaced by steel-toothed giants, Koreans wielding killer bowler hats, and dagger-shoed Russian madwomen, it's fair to say that the world's favourite spy has survived some of the most entertaining, and at times improbable, movie villains and sidekicks.

But which of these wannabe world dominators can at least claim the posthumous crown for the vilest Bond villain?

Blofeld has to be in with a shot - the sinister cat-stroking nutter with a penchant for volcanic lairs - or perhaps Auric "No mister Bond, I expect you to die" Goldfinger is a front runner, for threatening 007's 'nads with laser treatment.

Well, you decide. We've put together a list of (naturally) 22 candidates for criminal glory, and we leave it to our readers to have the final say. Note that Mr Wint and Mr Kidd from Diamonds Are Forever are a single choice. It seemed unkind to separate them, since they did make such a lovely couple.