James Bond: Odds slashed on THIS actor replacing Daniel Craig – it’s NOT Richard Madden

Richard Madden has long been the favourite to become the next James Bond, which will presumably be decided once the upcoming, as-yet-untitled Bond 25 is finished and released.

But further down the bookies’ lists of contenders, Jack Lowden is going from strength to strength.

Three bookmakers – William Hill, Betfair and PaddyPower – have, according to Oddschecker, trimmed his chances.

William Hill have cut him down to 14/1 after previously being on 25/1, while the latter two companies have shortened him to 12/1 from 18/1.

This puts him in the Top 10 with all three firms.

Madden remains out in front on 3/1 with William Hill, with Tom Hiddleston a hairline behind on 7/2.

Idris Elba follows on 11/2, with James Norton and Cillian Murphy on 6/1 and Tom Hardy completing a very tight Top 6 on 13/1.

Behind them, Benedict Cumberbatch is in seventh on 8/1, with Damian Lewis in eighth on 10/1.

Poldark star Aidan Turner is next on 12/1, with Lowden just behind him.

Lowden is, with Betfair and Paddy Power, currently priced shorter than Turner at time of writing.

29-year-old Lowden has had a great year; having been seen in the critically acclaimed Paige biopic Fighting With My Family.

He was also in Mary Queen Of Scots, Dunkirk, Denial and England Is Mine; plus the TV shows Mrs Biggs and War & Peace.