Bodyguard: Richard Madden is NOT favourite to be next James Bond – it's THIS actor instead

Tom Hardy had been the frontrunner for months; recently breaking free of closest competitor James Norton at the top of the market.

Despite brief hysteria around Idris Elba, it seemed nobody could dethrone the Venom star – but now there’s been a surge of money placed on a different actor.

It’s someone who has been at the top of the market before, but not for a over a year now: Tom Hiddleston.

Around the time of his role in The Night Manager, Hiddleston was considered the most likely candidate for the iconic role – but hype quickly faded when it was alleged that top boss Barbara Broccoli wasn’t keen.

Now, there’s been a huge fresh wave of support for him to become James Bond.

“Plenty have had headed the next Bond market over the years but it’s been a while since we’ve seen such a substantial move over such a short space of time,” said Ladbrokes spokesperson Alex Apati.

“As a result, Tom Hiddleston is now shorter than anyone has ever been to replace Daniel Craig.”

Hiddleston’s odds are currently 6/4, with Elba on 4/1 and Hardy extended right out to third place on 5/1.

After speculation around his future as Superman, Henry Cavill sits on 8/1, with Poldark’s Aidan Turner on 10/1 and Norton now on 10/1 also.

Orlando Bloom – after having a surge of support last week – is priced at 12/1; with Jack Huston on 16/1 alongside Madden and Sam Heughan.

After the finale of BBC One’s Bodyguard last night, much chatter has returned to Madden’s chances of being 007.

Even his father told the Daily Record: “I’m quite sure he does want that to be on his CV one day but he’s not making a song and dance about it.

“During a question-and-answer session, somebody asked the question about James Bond and Richard said, ‘I’m saying nothing.’ Because what can you say?

“Do you do an Idris and have everybody talking about you and asking you that question all the time or do you keep your head down?”

No new James Bond will be announced for at least two years yet: Daniel Craig still has one more instalment to film, with the finished product due in cinemas in February 2019.

Bodyguard, meanwhile, concluded last night with a nail-biting finale.