James Bond: New 007 contender closes gap on Tom Hardy in race to replace Daniel Craig

James Norton remains the current favourite to don the famous tux next, priced at 2/1.

Outlander actor Sam Heughan has crept back up the list into second place and is priced at 3/1.

Game of Thrones and Bodyguard star Richard Madden, meanwhile, has gained some ground on the frontrunners, with his odds shortening to 7/2.

There is, however, another relative outsider who is climbing once again to rival Hardy.