Having camped outside the Caledonian Hotel for four days in the hope of meeting Sir Sean Connery, he was on the verge of giving up.

When he had spotted the screen legend, eager assistants had whisked the 78-year-old actor past.

But just as the 21-year-old was packing up to leave, Sir Sean's chaffeur-driven car pulled up and this time – perhaps recognising Tom from the previous day – the James Bond star refused to be rushed away. He stopped to say hello and sign the young Londoner's copy of his new book, Being A Scot.

It was lucky, though, that Sir Sean was not able to hang around for more than half-a-minute.

For Tom – despite his pavement vigil – quickly turned around and knocked Sir Sean's most famous screen role.

"To be honest, when it comes to James Bond, I would actually say Roger Moore is my favourite. But Sean Connery is a legend," he said.

"It was brilliant to finally get the autograph. It was totally worth the wait."

The 21-year-old – who is between jobs – insisted he was getting the book signed for his mum.

But the star-struck look on his face suggested he might have difficulty parting with his new prized possession.

The James Bond fan decided to spend his four days in Edinburgh outside the Caledonian after discovering the screen legend was in town.

He had travelled from London to stay with friends and soak up the atmosphere of the festival city.

A friend – who refused to give his name – spent up to 12 hours a day with Tom waiting for the actor. The pair whiled away the hours reading Sir Sean's book.

Tom arrived in the Capital on Thursday and was packing up his things ready to catch the train home when Sir Sean pulled up in a chaffeur-driven silver Mercedes yesterday afternoon.

Doorman Danny Fair, 63, who watched the pair wait and then finally catch up with Sir Sean, said: "I'm delighted for the boys. All year round we get people from across the world coming here, asking if Sean Connery is staying.

"Of course, we simply cannot tell them.

"We get a lot of fans, that's for sure."

Fan's pilgrimage from Bournemouth
CALEDONIAN doorman Danny Fair said Sean Connery drew many people to the historic hotel.

Just this week, a man from Bournemouth made the trek to the Capital, simply in a bid to meet the star and secure his autograph.

He waited outside, hopeful he could catch a glimpse of his hero.

Mr Fair said: "I think he was in his mid-40s. He told me he had come all this way only for Sean Connery.

"He even asked staff inside if they could help him donate £100 to the SNP."

Unfortunately, the fan was only able to obtain Connery's autograph on a pre-signed copy of his autobiography, bought in Waterstones.

Danny said: "He was so happy though. It was properly signed after all - he even showed me it. He said it was worth coming all the way from Bournemouth for."