James Bond: Daniel Craig to keep playing 007 'as long as he's physically able'

Speculation over who might succeed Daniel Craig as the next Bond has become national news (AP)

Damian Lewis and Idris Elba may already be the favourites to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond, but fans seem to be forgetting that actually, the current 007 has no plans to retire anytime soon.

The British actor will reprise his lead role in upcoming movie Spectre, after proving a box office hit in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and Skyfall, but admits he finds the fitness training hard.

Spectre Vlog - Action

“I work myself to death. It’s getting hard, but such is life. I’ll keep going as long as I’m physically able,” Craig told the Mail on Sunday’s Event magazine recently. “It’s an honour to play [Bond]. I get such a big kick out of doing it. I’m contracted for one more but I’m not going to make predictions.”

The 47-year-old said after shooting wrapped on Skyfall that he was contemplating giving up the iconic part, but after the 2012 film became one of the highest grossing Bond films ever, he clearly had a change of heart.

Spectre, also starring Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris, is due in UK cinemas on 26 October 2015.