Next James Bond: Idris Elba’s odds SLASHED AGAIN as Luther returns

The 46-year-old has been a bookies favourite to replace Daniel Craig for a few years, and now his latest odds have slashed yet again following his return as Luther. Elba was at 4-1 to be the next James Bond after Craig bows out in his final movie next year. However, with series 5 of Luther premiering on BBC One on New Year’s Day, he’s now down to 3-1 with Coral. A spokesman for the bookmakers said: “Idris Elba is set to hit our screens again on New Year’s Day as DCI John Luther and ahead of the return of the show, punters have been rushing in to back him to become the next James Bond.”

Elba is now only just behind Tom Hiddleston at 6-4 and James Norton on 2-1.

Meanwhile, the previous frontrunner Tom Hardy is lagging behind on 6-1, alongside Richard Madden at 8-1, Aidan Turner at 16-1.

Following speculation during the summer that he was being lined up to replace Craig, Elba downplayed the rumours.

In August he tweeted: “My name’s Elba, Idris Elba.”

However, a few days later he tweeted: “Don’t believe the HYPE.”

The source of the rumours was director Antoine Fuqua, who told the Daily Star that Bond producer Barbara Broccoli now thinks “it is time” for a non-white 007.

Antoine said: “Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with a physically strong presence. Idris has that.”

Bond 25 will be released in UK cinemas on February 14, 2020.