James Bond odds: Who will be the next James Bond? THIS star's odds SLASHES

Idris Elba is back on everyone’s mind as Luther returns to BBC One. The grizzled detective is back fighting crime, with a new partner and a new killer to catch. And with Luther’s return, Elba’s odds of stepping into the role of 007 have been slashed.

What are Idris Elba’s odds to play James Bond?

Idris Elba has overtaken another grizzled-national treasure, Tom Hardy, for third place with oddsmakers.

Elba’s odds of replacing Daniel Craig as Bond were slashed from 4-1 to 3-1 with Coral.

A spokesman for Coral said: “If this gamble is correct, we could be set for our first ever black actor playing James Bond as we are being knocked over with interest in Idris Elba becoming the next 007.”

How likely this is, remains to be seen as Daniel Craig heads into his last ever foray as Bond.

Meanwhile, James Norton is in second place to take over the mantle of Bond.

Tom Hiddleston, perhaps best known for playing Loki in the Marvel series, is in first place with six-to-four odds to play Bond.

Elba has surpassed both the aforementioned Hardy and Bodyguard star Richard Madden.

Madden’s odds were also slashed with his portrayal of David Budd, but have waned with Luther’s resurgence.

The remaining five actors in the running, according to Oddschecker.com, are Justin Hartley (This Is Us), Aidan Turner (Poldark), Ricky Whittle (American Gods), and Henry Cavill (Superman).

Elba himself sparked a flurry of rumours back in August when he tweeted: “My name’s Elba, Idris Elba.”

Since then, however, he has vehemently denied he will be taking over the role of 007.

Bookmakers’ odds are changeable, and if Madden’s sudden drop in favour is anything to go by, Elba may only be in the top three as long as Luther is on the air.

Other James Bond rumours include Bohemian Rhapsody star, Rami Malek.

The young actor who played Freddie Mercury has been tipped as potentially playing a villain.

However, scheduling conflicts between Bond 25 and Mr Robot have quickly deflated this rumour.

As for Elba, the rumours swirling around his potential portrayal of Bond have been around for years.

They began in earnest in 2014, when Sony Pictures had its emails hacked.

Amongst the communications was one from then-studio cochair Amy Pascal.

She wrote to a colleague: “Idris should be the next Bond.”

Then in 2016, Steven Spielberg told Express.co.uk Idris Elba would be his “first choice” to fill the spy’s shoes.

During that same time, Elba claimed he was too old – then at 43 – to take on the role.

Though years have passed, fervour for Elba has not waned, and the odds will undoubtedly continue to fluctuate.