Could the outlook be picking up for Nick Leeson? The 32-year-old disgraced trader, who is battling cancer, is expecting to be released from a prison in Singapore next month after being held in custody since 1995.

And Sir David Frost, executive producer of a new film telling the story of the collapse of Barings bank, confirmed this week that the banker - who lost £860 million - would get a cut of any of the profits from Rogue Trader.

But he pointed out: "Only one out of 10 movies makes a profit. But if it does he will be entitled to less than 5 per cent of the profit."

Indeed, at the London premiere of the film this week, Leeson found two unlikely advocates - actors Ewan McGregor and Anna Friel who play him and his wife.

Ms Friel, who plays Leeson's former wife, Lisa, said: "I think what it does is give another side to the story, not just what you've heard." Mr McGregor said: "There's things that he did that were wrong but if you went into the back rooms of a bank there would be that type of thing going on.

"He got nicked."