Poldark’s Aidan Turner becomes bookies’ favourite to play James Bond
Aidan Turner is now the frontrunner to be the next James Bond.
The Poldark star, who is rumoured to have met with producers earlier this year, is currently the bookies’ favourite to take over the role.
Overtaking War and Peace actor James Norton, who was odds-on favourite to bag the part this time last month, Turner is now at 6/4 to be Bond.
A spokesperson for William Hill told The Sun: “We have seen a further run of bets for Mr Turner, including one customer looking to place a cool £1000. He has to be a contender.
Norton is now second favourite to play the British secret service spy, with odds of 7/2.
Other stars who are rumoured to be stepping into Daniel Craig’s shoes include Tom Hiddleston, Tom Hardy, Damian Lewis and Idris Elba.
Despite the speculation, Elba recently appeared to rule himself out of the running, saying that he thought he was “too old”.
Speaking on Good Morning America, the 43-year-old said: “If I'm really honest, man, I think I'm too old for that, I can't be running around in cars and ladies and martinis – who wants to do that? It sounds terrible!
“If it were to happen, it would be the will of a nation, because there's not been talks of me in the studios about any of that. But everywhere I go, people want that to happen.”
Tom Hiddleston, who is thought to be in the running for the role, also dismissed the possibility last month.
Speaking at a panel event, the 35-year-old star said: “I’m sorry to disappoint you, everybody. I don’t think that announcement is coming.
But I’m very gratified to hear the enthusiasm. There’s not much that I can say that I haven’t already said, but I know… Your guess is as good as mine to be honest.”
Turner will star in the new series of Poldark, which is set to air on September 4.
The British actor is now the frontrunner to play the secret service spy