James Bond: Guess which actor has had a SURGE of bets to replace Daniel Craig?

Multiple actors have been top of bookies’ lists for a long time now, with James Norton and Tom Hardy being the favourites for several months.

Now, however, Idris Elba has bounced back up the rankings – following the announcement of new episodes of Luther yesterday.

Coral have announced his odds have been cut down to 8/1 from 12/1.

“Idris Elba has been suggested as a candidate for the next James Bond for a while now but if the bets we’re seeing are anything to go by he would be a hugely popular pick as 007,” said a spokesperson for the firm.

“It’s also indicative of just how excited people are that Luther is returning to our screens,” said Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead.

Norton and Hardy remain at the front of the pack as joint 3/1 favourites.

Just behind them is Poldark hunk Aidan Turner on 4/1, with Jack Huston on 6/1.

After Elba comes Peaky Blinders’ Cillian Murphy on 10/1, any female on 12/1, and Tom Hiddleston at 16/1.

Daniel Craig will be back as James Bond for one final movie, as confirmed last summer.

Recently 007 bosses spoke out to reveal that Danny Boyle is directing the 25th caper in the series, and that production is officially in the diary.

In May they posted on the verified @007 Twitter account: “We’ve been expecting you… #Bond25, Daniel Craig’s 5th outing as 007, will be directed by Academy Award-winning Danny Boyle from an original screenplay by John Hodge.

“Production is set to begin on 3 Dec 2018. MGM will partner with Universal Pictures to release the film worldwide.”

Further casting announcements, and word of who will be performing the theme song, have not yet been forthcoming.

Bond 25 is out in late 2019.